Because We Are Rivers

Mark's story and poetry represent the resilience of the human spirit to survive and thrive, when aided by the loving and professional support of others, in this case, The Chicago Ark, https://arkchicago.org/, a social services agency that literally saved Mark's life. A portion of the sales of this book go directly to the Ark to support their life-giving work.



The publishing of this book began with an unusual request by email: "My friend passed away and left me a manuscript of his poems. Can you publish them?" The poems struck me with their heart, depth, and clarity, so I said yes. When I looked up the author's background, I found his funeral service, with a eulogy that recounted his journey from homelessness, mental health issues, and near-death to finding "his way back home, through twenty years that involved reclaiming back his health, sense of belonging, friendships and most of all meaning in life, which for him was always writing."