Opening the Circle

About the Book

This book is called Opening the Circle for the reason that in these pages, I have tried to open readers to reach beyond what might be their ordinarily closed circles of friends, relatives, and everyday types of knowledge. I have tried to intensify rather than normalize thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. I have done this hoping that I might not only expand my own horizons but also to spark the innovative spirit in us all. Aren’t new ideas the lifeblood of invention and curiosity? In the interest of encouraging space exploration and alien contact that may have occurred on earth long ago, I have written various fantasy poems about extraterrestrials and strange—sometimes illogical—alien planets. I have explored the illogical also for the reason that I thought about people before photographs were invented who would never have believed that television was possible! I have greatly enjoyed reaching for abstract metaphors and similes because it makes me feel fresh, new, and alive. I have always believed that readers were amused with this sort of expression. As you will see for yourself if you read this stirring book, I have expressed strong emotional convictions about war and peace and also some strong ties to religious concepts. Some of my nature poems were inspired by such phenomenon. I have written in several different styles, usually including rhyme and verse perhaps because of my own exposure to these various influences. I did not feel that I could adequately express everything intended within just one style. There is a lot of use of colors here. In fact, I have written a few poems without the use of at least one color word. Other things you will see a lot of are trees and moons perhaps because these seemed to be full of mystery and romance to me. I hope you will be benefited by the romance of life that I myself so devotedly believe in throughout all its various phases. I could not, of course, leave the children out of my book because they are the ultimate embodiment of innocence and all that is really cute and funny in life. What would our world’s romance be without their adorable faces, only a very boring moon that did not give her light?

About the Author

I use the pen name Mary Marches rather than my legal name and full identity description for the reason that I live humbly in the public view and must try to retain my privacy and safety to wander free and easy. I do not wish to be pestered with questions and romantic attractions about my literature, nor do I wish to provide lessons for the perusal of younger writers. As to the latter, I must apologize that I am a bit under educated to feel like an authority on how to develop writing skills. I want you to know that I am not affluent. I just live on S.S.I. and don’t even drive a car due to my disabilities, so that all of this poses a problem about personal exposure. I don’t want my family questioned either. They all tend to be very private citizens. I was born in Spokane Washington, and though the family moved from there when I was too young to remember it, I am told that the autumn leaves are spectacular there! I know I must have been influenced by them because I have retained an inspiration about it that seems mystical to me. I remember hearing the song,”The autumn leaves drift by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold.” I have pictured myself being born in a pile of leaves though I know I was born in a hospital. My mother and father lived during world war two, and I have not realized until my old age that I completely failed to ask them about their experiences. I was overwhelmed when I learned about the wars in high school and did not like studying history. I thought there was not a perspective given on all of world events, what to remember as permanent knowledge from what could be transitory. I still feel that way, but the reason I don’t have many college credits is mostly because of my disability. I used drugs in the 70’s including L.S.D. but don’t recommend that you try it! It contributed to insanity more than creativity. I was creative from an early age and was encouraged to pursue my talent legally and safely. I am also an artist of painting, drawing, sculpture, and song and encourage all people to dabble a little. Its therapeutic!