ChicagoPostmodernPoetry.Com

Poetic Profile

Sheila E. Murphy

1) Where did you grow up? Was poetry and writing part of that mix?

I grew up in South Bend, Indiana, having been born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana. By the time that I was eight years old, we had relocated to about a mile just southeast of the Notre Dame University Campus, where my father was on the faculty and eventually became Dean of the College of Business for more than a decade.

My mother and father were great lovers of the arts. Mother was a violinist, a pianist, a vocalist, and a teacher of music and Latin. She and my father had impeccable speech, loved language, ventured places to do nothing but see plays. They read constantly.

2) Who are your poetic influences, favorite poets, writers, artwork, other things that inform your work?

From a craft standpoint, the composer Paul Hindemith brought to my mind the intersection of art and practicality: music for use. Every time I touch a book by Gertrude Stein, some strange variation of psychometry takes hold. If I am looking at something by Mondrian, I remember that it could be squared. I like some poems that it is out of fashion to love.

A good deal of art having the power to make a difference has so threatened some people that they have devoted a good fraction of their lives to talking others into rejecting it. Such art stimulates me.

3) When did you 'become' a poet, when did poet become part of your everyday life? 

At the age of 27, in the midst of doctoral study, I met a fellow student who was a master teacher, several years my senior in life, and who had an impressive ability to tune in to a mind. She tuned in to mine, and helped me to complete a poem, after my having struggled for years, based upon inhibition and probably other obstacles. My first works were published by James Haining at Salt Lick Press. I was thrilled. My mentor was thrilled. I’ve written practically every day since.

4) Where were you educated? Was this important?

I’ll mention first my high school education at St. Mary’s Academy in South Bend, Indiana. The faculty and students were outstanding, and I was very fortunate to have received what amounted to a college education under the guise of high school courses. This was a nice prelude to my education at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I earned a bachelor’s degree, doubling in music theory and composition and English. I earned a full ride fellowship through my master’s program at The University of Michigan in English Language and Literature. I then taught at the community college level for two years before earning a fellowship to pursue the Ph.D. at Arizona State University.

5) What is your favorite food?

Wild salmon.

6) Sports Team? or Activity?

Notre Dame football.

 

8) Vacation spot?

The studio. The beach.

9) Favorite curse word?

stinklywob

Craft Questions

 

1) How do you form a poem?

I get to know a form. I try it. I indulge myself in its way of being with the words. I let the words and the form meld.

 

2) Is poetry an organic or synthetic process for you?

Differs by poem.

3) Where do you write? Is Ambiance important? Do you have rituals or habits when you write? 

I make sure that every part of my life has the potential for accepting poetry when the writing’s ready. I write at different computers (work and art and laptop). I write in books. I write on loose leaf. I write in public places. I write during lectures. I write while other things are going on. Sometimes I write in my office. I write in my gallery. I write on public transportation every chance I get to ride it.

4) In the balance between found language and created language where does your work fall?

Created, mainly, with the occasional found.