We Who Are About To Die : Sheila E. Murphy

Sheila E. Murphy is a prolific poet and artist who has lived all of her adult life in Phoenix, Arizona. She earns her living as a leadership and organizational developer and consultant. Starting with formal musical training, Dr. Murphy has also immersed herself in the study of language and literature. As a corporate officer with responsibility for a wide range of human and fiscal resources, she has directed human development in many forms throughout her career.

Where are you now?
I am in my office at Monterosa in Central Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

What are you reading?
I am reading Painting as an Art, Richard Wollheim; The New State, by Mary Parker Follett; The Bully Pulpit, by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

What have you discovered lately?
There is no such thing as chronological age.

Where do you write?
I write anywhere I can get away with it.

What are you working on?
I am working on collaborative visual poetry with Kathy Ernst, a collaborative long poem with Douglas Barbour, a collaborative visual poetry collection with John M. Bennett, a theoretical book about organizational performance, poetry and drawing of various types, and whatever must be done that I capture in a moment or so.

Have you anything forthcoming?
I have everything forthcoming. I am working all the burners.

What would you rather be doing?
If I write it, I’ll have to do it, and if I do it, I may have to erase it.

from
Lauds (34)

Moment(um)
A cappella roses
proffer flow.
One leaves the premises
that premise her convivial restraint,
as blossoms pass
train windows to surpass.