I’m not a fool, but I’ll play one on TV. Or Facebook, anyway.
Fortunately, I’ll be joined by my dear friend, partner in crime, and incredibly talented (take your pick) poet, teacher, photographer, musician, literary citizen, Justen Ahren. (If his name rings a bell, it should, and if you’ve followed anything I’ve been doing this last decade, it’s impossible that you’re not also aware of him—more on that, below.)
Here’s the scoop:
We’re having a live “launch party” that will feature Justen and me in conversation about this new collection, but also about why and how poetry matters, what’s different (and not) about writing and reading poems in 2026, navigating the creative spaces during insane times, and why community is everything (always—but especially during insane times).
Come for the poetry, but the real attraction here is Justen who, if you’ve not heard and seen him in action, I guarantee will convert you.
More about the event (and link to attend) here or via the Sean Murphy, Author Facebook page.
More about Justen Ahren:
Justen Ahren is a writer, poet, photographer, musician, and teacher of Devotion to Writing, an organization he founded to help others realize the creative abundance they possess. Emeritus Poet Laureate of Martha’s Vineyard and founder of Noepe Center of Literary Arts, which he directed from 2007-2017, he has authored two collections of poetry: A Strange Catechism (2013) and A Machine for Remembering (2019).
His work has been set to music by Grammy award-winning Composer Glen Roven, and award winning Cuban composer Ileana Perez Valezquez. He has received twice been commissioned to write poems for Wendy Taucher Dance Theater Opera, and once for John Sims’ Afro Dixie Project. His photographs are held in several private collections, and have been exhibited in both solo and group shows at A Gallery, Miner Family Gallery, Vineyard Playhouse, and Featherstone Center for the Arts.
