If you roam around Northfield in April, you may stumble upon boxes of poems in various locations.
Rolled-up papers featuring poems and illustrations are offered free for people to take and enjoy. The goal is to celebrate poetry during April, National Poetry Month, although the boxes may still be available into the first week of May.
Northfield has boxes at the Library, Mercado Local, Imminent Brewing, KYMN/The One radio station, and Content Bookstore.
Now, Faribault also has a box at the Rice County Area United Way bookstore, Books on Central, thanks to the request of Faribault poet Audrey Kletscher Helbling.
This initiative is the brainchild of writer, poet, artist, translator, and community organizer Mar Valdecantos, and was implemented thanks to a grant to Rice County Neighbors United, an organization directed by Mar, from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
The grant, a Legacy grant made possible through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature, has made this project possible. Poems are contributed by local poets, totaling thirty so far, with most being originals and five selected by writers and readers because they love those poems.
All the poems are available in both English and Spanish and are accompanied by unique illustrations from local artists, particularly Leslie Méndez and Mar Valdecantos. Most of the artwork is displayed at the Mercado Local Art Space, located in the rear of the Fifth Street retail store.
“The idea was sparked by a talk at Carleton College by Professor Deborah Appleman, who brought participants from her program working with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop,” explains Valdecantos. “One of the participants mentioned ‘Poem in a Bag,’ and though he didn’t know much about it, the idea resonated with me, leading to the creation of the initiative in our area.”
Valdecantos added that the poems don’t actually come in a bag, because it wasteful displaying the rolled-up papers like that.
The initiative is straightforward and will be an annual event in both Northfield and Faribault. Northfield’s interim poet laureates, Becky Boling and Doug E. Green, are enthusiastic about this endeavor. They have contributed poems to the collection and pledge their ongoing support, encouraging the future poet laureate to do the same.
“We are thrilled about the concept and execution of ‘Poem in a Bag.’ We also welcome its expansion to Faribault. As Northfield CoPoLos, we wholeheartedly endorse the proliferation of poetry in Northfield and beyond, particularly appreciating the multilingual approach of this initiative. Becky and I anticipate the program’s growth with each passing year and are delighted to contribute, as well as assist in securing the support of the incoming Poet Laureate,” says Doug E. Green, interim Poet Laureate, alongside his wife poet Becky Boling.
Faribault poet Audrey Kletscher Helbling adds, “What I appreciate about ‘Poem in a Bag’ is its accessibility, making poetry easily available to individuals who might not otherwise engage with this literary art form. The combination of poems with local artwork enhances the experience, and printing the poems in both Spanish and English bridges cultures. Art in all its forms serves as a connection between us.”
A reading on May 23 To conclude the inaugural year of this creative initiative, there will be a public reading of the poems at Mercado Local Art Space on Thursday, May 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with light refreshments provided. 3d03a62e-c1f4-428d-860d-9564b33dbe99
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