Friday, August 28, 2020

Sheila E. Murphy : Symphonic Exercise






for Peter Ganick

Now occurs
this once

within
sunlight or rain,

each

breathed                 speed of mind encompassing
a holy quiet
restrained               and very
properly brought up,
precise
respectful
far enough away
the ritual
becoming
loved as wanted.

Friendship equals
recognition
of shared zeal
at a vibration state
of closeness smoothly exercised.
not humor
but permission
to co-occupy the earth,
a privilege
unlikely and exact.

Music on the page
to look at each
event
now documented, framed, held
as savoring distinguishes
from all else
this
chosen feeling
word at a time,
a passage
numbered
moments
made into another
making.


                                                                                            








I will always speak of Peter Ganick in the present tense. He never declared his plan but lived it: Create within each available moment. The artistic output Peter gave us is immense, spanning poetic, visual, and musical creation. Peter courageously seized each moment, taking up an implement and making. His practice inspired others to be similarly brave. Many who knew Peter well experienced his encouragement to discover and create, sharing structured ways forward, including how to begin. Today I am surrounded by Peter’s books and artwork. I hear his voice. I am honored and grateful that Peter shared his legacy with me. We are fortunate, all of us who knew Peter personally and through his work. Dear friend, how empty it is without the engine that is you. May you be peaceful, as you have generously given us your genius, your wisdom, and your strength.


Sheila E. Murphy
June 12, 2020






Sheila E. Murphy is an American poet who has been writing and publishing actively since 1978. Her book titled Reporting Live from You Know Where won the Hay(na)Ku Poetry Book Prize Competition from Meritage Press (U.S.A.) and xPress(ed) (Finland).  Also in 2018, Broken Sleep Books brought out the book As If To Tempt the Diatonic Marvel from the Ivory. Luna Bisonte Prods released Underscore in that same year, featuring a collaborative visual book by K.S. Ernst and Sheila E. Murphy. Murphy is the recipient of the Gertrude Stein Award for her book Letters to Unfinished J. (Green Integer Press, 2003). Murphy is known for working in forms including such as the ghazal, haibun, and pantoum in her individual writing. As an active collaborator, she has worked with Douglas Barbour on an extended poem called Continuations. Murphy’s visual work, both individual and collaborative, is shown in galleries and in private collections. Initially educated in instrumental and vocal music, Murphy is associated with music in poetry. She earns her living as an organizational consultant, professor, and researcher and holds the PhD degree. She has lived in Phoenix, Arizona throughout her adult life.