Penn State Altoona English professor helps bird book take flight

ALTOONA, Pa. - Erin Murphy, professor of English at Penn State Altoona, participated in a book launch event for "Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds."

The other featured poets were Jane Hirshfield, Major Jackson, Diane Seuss, Subhaga Crystal Bacon, Brian Turner, Kristie Frederick Daugherty, Didi Jackson, KateLynn Hibbard, and Jennifer Markell. The virtual reading was held Feb. 25 and drew an international audience.

Edited by Susan Rich and published by Raven Chronicles Press, the anthology includes original artwork by Hiroko Seki and bird notes by Stephanie Delaney. Murphy's poem, "Flying Under the Influence in Issaquah: A Cento," is about robins getting drunk on fermented fruit.

According to Murphy, the book will appeal to readers even if they don't have a connection to Washington state. "After all," she said, "birds don't give a flying fig about borders."