Stacey M

For Xiaojie

The day I was killedwhile doing my jobwas a normal dayin my American skinthat is to saymy Chinese American skinmy nonwhite skinand a taxpaying skinand a kind oneand a skilled oneand an everyday oneand a valuable one unless your dayin your American skinwhich to sayyour white male skinand an aching oneand a violent oneand aContinue reading “For Xiaojie”

“Old Stones Understand” is Ready for Orders!

I’m excited and happy to announce that my first poetry collection is now available for order at the Shanti Arts Website. Other places coming soon: http://www.shantiarts.co/uploads/files/mno/MURPHY_STONES.html

Shoveling: A Poem

I live in the Finger Lakes of New York, and late February means it is undoubtedly still winter! We know there’s likely a good month or so of snow and cold left even as we send well wishes and aid to Texas. The final of my poetry manuscript has been sent off to the printer.Continue reading “Shoveling: A Poem”

First Poetry Collection!

There’s something really fun about picking out a cover for a book. When we created “NY Votes for Women: A Suffrage Centennial Anthology” I worked with a creative design friend and we were so proud of the results. I’ve been fortunate again in working with a publisher, Shanti Arts, that is also a promoter ofContinue reading “First Poetry Collection!”

Coretta

A Poem on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in honor of Coretta Scott King, his widow

Epiphany 2021

I can’t stop watching the events in the Capitol and the woman who was killed in the riots. And also feeling prophetic that today is the Epiphany for those who celebrate it. It led to this, dashed off, raw, but anyway. What did you learnas you fell and bled outas your red cap rolled astray?DidContinue reading “Epiphany 2021”

lights chasing each other

Alone on a full charter bus at nineteenshe leaned a warm cheek against the glassto feel the bone-cold outsidecrystals forming near her breathstaring into the firstmoments of the dayafter Christmas.Speeding southbound throughstars and towns, the familydinner long cold behind her;had they yet cleared Virginia?She looked over the meadows to thedistant ranch house roofs,long low rowsContinue reading “lights chasing each other”

Winter Solstice 2020

I’ve never seen snow do this before this morning! Science creating the appearance of magic is one of my favorite things. And an hour after taking this picture on my back porch, it was gone. Light to all…

Hanukkah Poem and Book News

When I wrote this poem, my mom tucked a copy of it in a Hanukkah card for her friend, Marlene. When she told me, it was a sweet reminder that we never really know how far, or where, our words can reach.

Shorter on Mercy

One injured gooseleft behind at Third Damno flock mates in sightshe swam through the gloamright wing splayed, not tucked in,head down as a plane flew overand I said a prayerthat she recover soonfly off, find a new flock,or become a lucky breakfor a young coyotelearning to hunt,wishing either outcome swift.November’s night shadows lengthenNovember’s days growContinue reading “Shorter on Mercy”