David Murphy interviewed by Manuel Vega
Manuel Vega (00:02): Um, this is October 24, 24 October 2023, we are at Ulster Correctional Facility in a poetry class with, with, Miss Gretchen Primack. It's a poetry class, and I have right now, Mr. Murphy, David Murphy, and um to interview him, concerning the class, the poetry and, do you want to introduce yourself, Mr. Murphy?
David Murphy (00:27): Uh, thank you, Mr. Vega, um my name is David Murphy, and um, I'm uh, excited for our interview today.
Manuel Vega (00:44): Oh yeah, you know, we got a few questions for you, Mr. Murphy, concerning your past. Um, so question two is, why did you enroll in these uh programs? Did your reasons change?
David Murphy (00:59): The reason I en- en- enrolled in this program is um, thanks to you being my friend. Um, if it would've been up to me, I, I would not have enrolled in this program, because, um, me coming to the end of my time, I just like to lay in my cube, or sit in my cube and read, and, and just be by myself. But because you and I have history, and, and we've always been, good, close friends, I wanted to do something. And, and, um, do something with you, and, and that was by signing up and taking this po- poetry program.
Manuel Vega (01:42): Do you regret doing it?
David Murphy (01:47): I, I ... surprisingly, no, I don't. Uh, I've, actually enjoyed this, I've, I've created three, maybe four poems, an- and it's three or four poems that I never thought I'd ever rea- uh write in my life. And, um, again I can' thank you enough for uh, um, inviting me, to come and join you, 'cause I've been, I'e, I've enjoyed it.
Manuel Vega (02:12): Yeah. The second question to you is, how would you describe yourself as an artist?
David Murphy (02:27): Describing myself an artist. Shaking my head, I, I, really wouldn't class myself as an artist, but after being able to put together three or four poems, I, I would consider myself a novice artist, and, and um, I'm proud of myself.
Manuel Vega (02:46): How did you feel when you was writing your poems?
David Murphy (02:56): I got a sense of enjoyment, because I was being creative, and for, for most of my poems I was writing them about my wife, and anything to do with my wife always gives me great enjoyment, and fulfillment. And especially when I email them to her, and I hear the reaction that I get, that she loved them, and, and um, is honored to have me as her husband, and, and that I love her so much, and, it means a lot.
Manuel Vega (03:34): Good, that's good, but I have another question for you is, tell me about your time in this class.
David Murphy (03:46): The time in this class. In the beginning, I, I, was wondering uh if I'd bit off more than I could chew. But as the, as the class progressed, I really began to enjoy it, because of uh all the work that our fellow classmates did, and the participation we got from each other, and um, it just, it just meant so much, and um, I've enjoyed this time, seeing everybody get excited, and, and with their poems, and, and uh being able to share them with everybody else. I've enjoyed it.
Manuel Vega (04:44): What about Miss G, what do you think about Miss G?
David Murphy (04:49): I, I, I can't, uhhh I am speechless, the woman is, is, has been a, a great faci- uh teacher, um no question is a dumb question, and um, I just can't thank her enough for taking the time out of her busy schedule, to come to Ulster Correctional Facility, for 12 weeks, and, and share with us her experiences, and her, her knowledge of, of poem writing, and um, I honestly think that, that's what, that's what's made this class so, uh, enjoyable, is, is her.
Manuel Vega (05:45): You know, wow, [inaudible 00:05:39], you have any memories of this class? Any favorite memories?
David Murphy (05:54): Ah, favorite memories is, is ah, I guess woulda been of, of, last weeks when a poem was written, thanking her for her time, and, and, I just, I never thought of doing something like that, but again, it's, I'm so glad that somebody did write one, and, and really thank her, because it just shows her how much all of us, not just me, all of us, appreciated her coming and, and I think, I think last week had to be a memorable one and, and, and um, it's gonna be a shame that this, 'cause this is our last class tonight.
Manuel Vega (06:47): Yeah, definitely, you gonna read that, this poem, and um, I have a question for you, Mr. Murphy, what would you tell the girls in [inaudible 00:06:51] to participate in this class? What would you encourage more of, for them?
David Murphy (06:56): I would encourage them to, uh, to uh, participate in the class, and, and get out of their, get out of their, uh regular routine, leave the TV alone, set one night aside to, to come and experience this class, because I believe that, even though so many people are stuck in their ways, there's a few people that would gain, valuable knowledge from this class. And um, I think they would be excited to have taken it, if they would only just think outside the box, and, and um, jump out the window and, and come and do it.
Manuel Vega (07:42): Regular routine, yeah.
David Murphy (07:45): And especially with, you know, um uh, uh a teacher like Gretchen.
Manuel Vega (08:01): For closing, Mr. Murphy, thank you very much. For your time, for your wisdom, and we really have something in, I'm grateful.
David Murphy (08:02): Oh Manny, thank you for uh, uh, having me, and, and, um, I appreciate you, I, I, you're a true friend and, and, um I appreciate you, thank you.
Manuel Vega (08:12): Thank you Murphy-
David Murphy (08:12): Thank you.
Manuel Vega (08:13): ... thank you very much.