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.