Mary Ellen & Megan Daugherty
Coshocton, Ohio
Biography
Mary Ellen Daugherty has been writing haiku poetry since her junior high English teacher first introduced her to the form. After retiring from American Electric Power in 2020, she began combining her haiku with nature photography, using her iPhone to capture the quiet beauty of her surroundings.
She lives in rural Coshocton County, Ohio, with her daughter, Megan Daugherty, who collaborated with her on this exhibit by pairing text and images. Megan serves as Clinical Director at Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices.
Artist's Statement
Wanderer
"A small grasshopper clung to the hood of my car for four miles, refusing to let go. Its persistence sparked this haiku, where the grasshopper becomes a symbol of the inner voice that nudges us toward identity and purpose. For me, that voice whispered 'wanderer,' reminding me that movement, curiosity, and resilience are part of my journey. This piece blends a fleeting encounter in nature with the timeless search for meaning."
Transformation
"On a quiet day, I came across a woolly worm unlike any I’d seen before—its coat was entirely black. Watching it inch along reminded me that transformation often happens slowly, almost imperceptibly, yet with certainty. Like the woolly worm destined to become something entirely new, we too are invited to trust the process and embrace the journey, even when the outcome is unknown."
Sheer Joy
"While driving a country road, I noticed a single sheep wandering apart from its flock. There was something both tender and bold about its choice to step away, to follow a path of its own. That moment reminded me that striking out in new directions can bring feelings of uncertainty, but also moments of unexpected delight. This haiku reflects the balance between bewilderment and joy that comes with forging one’s own way."
Resolve
"During a hike at Hocking Hills State Park, I came across an immense wall of rock—ancient, solid, and almost ominous in its presence. Standing before it, I thought about how such strength is born of time, as sand and grit slowly harden into stone. This image, paired with the haiku, speaks to the enduring power of patience and determination. True resolve doesn’t appear overnight; it is shaped gradually, becoming as timeless and steadfast as the rock itself."
Bend, Don’t Break
"At the Holmes County Open Air Art Museum, I was struck by the sight of a sapling gracefully arched, bending but unbroken. It seemed to embody resilience—flexible enough to yield, yet rooted firmly in its truth. This image became even more meaningful after learning that a storm swept through and destroyed the exhibits, leaving the sapling and the museum’s beauty only in memory. The haiku reflects that same lesson: to adapt and sway when life requires it, but never lose the core of who we are."
Mary Ellen Daugherty has been writing haiku poetry since her junior high English teacher first introduced her to the form. After retiring from American Electric Power in 2020, she began combining her haiku with nature photography, using her iPhone to capture the quiet beauty of her surroundings.
She lives in rural Coshocton County, Ohio, with her daughter, Megan Daugherty, who collaborated with her on this exhibit by pairing text and images. Megan serves as Clinical Director at Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices.
Artist's Statement
Wanderer
"A small grasshopper clung to the hood of my car for four miles, refusing to let go. Its persistence sparked this haiku, where the grasshopper becomes a symbol of the inner voice that nudges us toward identity and purpose. For me, that voice whispered 'wanderer,' reminding me that movement, curiosity, and resilience are part of my journey. This piece blends a fleeting encounter in nature with the timeless search for meaning."
Transformation
"On a quiet day, I came across a woolly worm unlike any I’d seen before—its coat was entirely black. Watching it inch along reminded me that transformation often happens slowly, almost imperceptibly, yet with certainty. Like the woolly worm destined to become something entirely new, we too are invited to trust the process and embrace the journey, even when the outcome is unknown."
Sheer Joy
"While driving a country road, I noticed a single sheep wandering apart from its flock. There was something both tender and bold about its choice to step away, to follow a path of its own. That moment reminded me that striking out in new directions can bring feelings of uncertainty, but also moments of unexpected delight. This haiku reflects the balance between bewilderment and joy that comes with forging one’s own way."
Resolve
"During a hike at Hocking Hills State Park, I came across an immense wall of rock—ancient, solid, and almost ominous in its presence. Standing before it, I thought about how such strength is born of time, as sand and grit slowly harden into stone. This image, paired with the haiku, speaks to the enduring power of patience and determination. True resolve doesn’t appear overnight; it is shaped gradually, becoming as timeless and steadfast as the rock itself."
Bend, Don’t Break
"At the Holmes County Open Air Art Museum, I was struck by the sight of a sapling gracefully arched, bending but unbroken. It seemed to embody resilience—flexible enough to yield, yet rooted firmly in its truth. This image became even more meaningful after learning that a storm swept through and destroyed the exhibits, leaving the sapling and the museum’s beauty only in memory. The haiku reflects that same lesson: to adapt and sway when life requires it, but never lose the core of who we are."
