Michael E. Murphy Announces Release of Debut Poetry Collection

In "Songs of Crocus Hill" (published by Archway Publishing), author Michael E. Murphy presents a collection of "memory poems." Drawing from Murphy's experiences growing up in the Crocus Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, the poems tell stories of a boy's encounters with teachers, sports, girls and immigrants; of a man's encounters with the loss of family and friends; and of the long arc of romance to love.

Murphy's layered poems blend the lyrical and narrative styles, giving readers poetry that is clear and accessible. Exploring various kinds of love, loss and redemption recalled from his hometown neighborhood, Murphy hopes his verses will help readers discover the Crocus Hill in their own lives.

Murphy adds, "I want the reader to say, after reading one of my poems: Yes, I had that experience too; I felt that pain, experienced that joy."

The opening stanza of the poem "Carl Wolf" from "Songs of Crocus Hill":

His Crocus Hill custom required more
of Carl Wolf than the mending and hemming of clothes.
Carl was a listener, a safe-keeper of secrets
who dwelt in the confessional darkness of his shop
at Grand and Oxford, across from Vince's Pure Oil.

"Songs of Crocus Hill"
By Michael E. Murphy
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 102 pages | ISBN 9781480838482
E-Book | 104 pages | ISBN 9781480838499
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Michael E. Murphy taught English at St. Olaf College and Macalester College in Minnesota and then followed up with a 30-year career as an international business lawyer with Medtronic and the Faegre law firm in Minneapolis. In retirement, he has been teaching a course on the law in literature at the University of St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis. He lives with his wife, Jane, in St. Paul. "Songs of Crocus Hill" is his debut collection of poetry.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904.

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