Stories and Songs
Stories, Essays, Poems, Memoirs, and Songs

The music of Memories       
Outdoors, out west, out of the ordinary

Mark Doherty

Mark is a poet, essayist, and songwriter who lives for nature and the outdoors.  He recently retired from 30 years as a full time high school English teacher.  ((You can contact Mark at [email protected]))

​NEW​  MARK'S BOOK LIST on SHEPHERD'S 
​ 

Walking Natural Pathways    Amazon, Unsolicited Press
Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration  Amazon, ​Unsolicited Press
​

​Interstices ​ Smashwords, Nook
The Jack Carment Tales:  A Delightful Four Novella Series
​The Howling of Holcomb Peak​ / The Light of Shimmering Cove /
The Gliding Through Nordic Fields / The Cascading of Mountain Poetry   Smashwords, Nook                             
YouTube Channel Mark Doherty                                              New Resource for Teachers at TPT

  • Blog
  • More Stories and Essays Mark has Published
  • Some Unique Sonnets

3/15/2022

Vernal Equinox 2022 -- Eddying Out to Rest

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           As each new spring arrives and greenery rises with the warming sunshine, I’m filled with hope, despite the dark clouds lurking ever on the horizon.  I remind myself to take my eyes off of the distant storms and to look more closely at what spring is revealing right in front of me.  In order to do this, I must “eddy out” from the rushing river of society, media, and the violent rapids of human turmoil.  I will be right back in that mainstream current as soon as I turn on any device, drive a car, or even look at the mail, but for just a few minutes each day, I seek rest from the rushing river.
            Those resting places, those eddies, are found where a new flower has just bloomed next to a melting snowdrift.  They are found inside a spring snowflake’s perfection as it lands on my sleeve, or in a big fat raindrop that tastes like warm weather.  They are found in springtime breezes and sunrises and sunsets.  They are found when a migrating bird lands nearby for a rest, or when a wintering bird sings a new spring song I’ve not heard since last summer.
They are sometimes even found right in the middle of the city when for just a moment, I’m the only one driving or cycling on a three-block stretch of road, or the only one walking down a normally busy sidewalk.  I always take a deep breath of spring air and relish the moment, even if that moment only really lasts a mere a few seconds.
            A number of years ago I compiled a book of essays entitled Interstices, and as I revisit that text with a mind to editing, revising, and perhaps publishing hard copy (It’s only published online on the Smashwords platform), I realize that the concept of The Eddy and the concept of Interstices are one in the same.  Even as modern life accelerates to an ever more alarming pace, I return to the slowly evolving magic of springtime, and to the magic of taking “moments between” where rest and rejuvenation will always be a natural part of my existence.
            Happy Vernal Equinox, 2022.

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5 Comments
Terry Doherty
4/24/2022 06:38:59 am

Very eloquently said my dear brother! And oh so true....

Reply
Patty Strosnider
4/24/2022 04:07:13 pm

Thanks, Mark, for the beautiful reminder to focus on what is truly important!

Reply
Eric Murdock
5/2/2022 07:59:12 am

Thank you Mark! Your words and songs have been an eddy for me many times!

Reply
Grace
5/3/2022 02:26:58 pm

I loved the eddy imagery you introduced in class my senior year, and I love the way you use it here, too. Thanks for always creating a safe, relaxing space for students! May all those little moments bring you much peace.

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Ricky Curry link
11/4/2022 04:55:26 am

Defense million meeting unit. Discussion party firm test. Ability four nor night imagine. These wide fight tree American.
Form clear political. Seat data certain force case.

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    Mark Doherty is a writer/poet, storyteller, outdoorsman, and career English teacher.

    Links to audio recordings of Mark's lyrical poetry:

    Whitewater Eyes https://youtu.be/qd0rsmzC5fg  

    Moenkopi Memories https://youtu.be/c_Kq4FQYFKk

    Look for more coming soon!

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    Upcoming Publications:
    will come out in August, 2020 via  

    Current  Publications:

    Creative Nonfiction (Book Length)  
    Creativity, Teaching and Natural Inspiration   published by Unsolicited Press.

    Poetry Chapbook
    Walking Natural Pathways published by Unsolicited Press.
    http://www.unsolicitedpress.com/ (June, 2018)
    "Seasonal Sonnets"
    http://classicalpoets.org/category/poetry/  (March 20, 2018)

    CREATIVE NONFICTION (Short works)
    "The Singing Rainbow, An Unforgettable Event for a Working Folk Musician"
        
    http://www.dmd27.org/CLA.html  (18:2 August 2017)  and in
          River Poets Journal Vol 11 Issue 2  (2017)

    "Power Out One Night at the Outlaw Saloon"
        
    http://www.dmd27.org/CLA.html  (18:3 December 2017)

    ESSAYS (Academic)
    "The Adverb Surfaces in Poetic Prose and Intimates in Dramatic Dialogue" 
        
    http://www.dmd27.org/CLA.html  (18:2 August 2017)
    "The Evolving Storm of Science as Captured in English Verse" 

         http://www.dmd27.org/CLA.html  (18:3 December 2017)
    "The Power of Tides, The Impulses of Mankind, A Marxist and Cultural Materialist View of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness"
         Pennsylvania Literary Journal (Vol IX, Issue 2)  Summer 2017



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  • Blog
  • More Stories and Essays Mark has Published
  • Some Unique Sonnets