Poetry on Stoney End Music Barn, 920 State Highway 19, Red Wing, Minnesota. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
POETRY. Do you throw a mental roadblock the instant you encounter that word? Or do you embrace poetry? And, yes, you can be honest. I realize poetry isn’t for everyone. Just like science fiction or fantasy. I don’t read either. But I do read and write poetry.
The most unusual place my poetry has been published, on billboards as part of the Roadside Poetry Project in Fergus Falls in 2011. This is the fourth billboard with the posting of my poem: Cold earth warmed/by the budding sun/sprouts the seeds/of vernal equinox. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2011.
My poems have been published in newspapers, magazines, anthologies, in poet/artist collaborations, on signs along recreational trails and on billboards. I’ve also read my poetry at events and for radio. But now my poetry will be showcased in another way—in a song to be performed at two concerts.
My poem initially published in In Retrospect, The Talking Stick, Volume 22, an anthology published by The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc based in northern Minnesota.
Rochester, Minnesota, composer David Kassler selected my poem, The Farmer’s Song, for inclusion in a project that pairs his original music with poetry by seven regionally and nationally-recognized poets. In other words, my poem became the lyrics for his song. It’s part of a set, Minnesota Rondos.
The only instrument I ever learned to play was a toy accordion exactly like this one, photographed several years ago in a Mankato antique shop. I received the accordion one childhood Christmas. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
The irony in all of this is my inability to read a single note. I never had the opportunity growing up to take piano lessons, to participate in band or anything musical. I ad libbed my way through required school music classes. So to now have my rural-themed poem set to music is, well, remarkable for me personally. I am honored.
Connie Ludwig, right, created a painting, Pantry Jewels, based on my poem, Her Treasure, as part of a 2012 Poet-Artist Collaboration at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2012.
I am especially honored to be in the company of poets with incredible resumes of teaching, leadership, advanced degrees, publication of their own poetry collections and more. Featured poets include Jana Bouma of Madison Lake, Meredith Cook of Blue Earth, the late Janelle Hawkridge of Winnebago, Robert Hedin of Red Wing, John Reinhard of Owatonna and Michael Waters of New Jersey.
In downtown Mason City, Iowa, home of The Music Man, pianos sit outdoors for anyone to use. Here my husband plays a simple tune during a visit several years ago. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Kassler, who teaches music at Rochester Community and Technical College and is the music director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rochester, received a $5,000 established artist grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to help fund the project that includes two concerts. A 30-member chamber choir of collegiate and professional musicians conducted by Kassler with piano and cello accompaniment will perform the choral works.
Two years ago I read my poem, Wednesday Night Bingo at the Legion, at a Poetry Bash at The Rochester Civic Theater. Two of my poems published that year in an anthology compiled by my regional library system. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
I am excited to hear the music my poem inspired. Concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Rochester Community and Technical College. Tickets are $7.50 and will be sold at the door; Kassler needs to recoup an additional $2,000 of his own monies invested in the project. He’s that dedicated to this.
The second concert, and the one I plan to attend, is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rochester. A free-will offering will be taken.
A Shattuck-St. Mary’s student plays the cello at the Faribault school’s annual Christmas Walk. Stephen Pelkey will play the cello at the Kassler concerts in Rochester. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2016.
If you’re so inclined, attend either concert. Please seek me out if you come on Sunday. But, most of all, enjoy this opportunity to hear poetry set to music. Because really, when I consider it, all music is poetry.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Great post. I love the farmers song
Thank you.
Very cool! Notice the exclamation mark. 🙂 You should be very proud of what you have accomplished already and now to add lyricist to the accomplishments is another feather in your cap. That is really a great accomplishment and if I were closer you know I would be there on Sunday to enjoy right along with you. Congratulations!
Thank you, Beth Ann. You are always so supportive and encouraging.
My spiritual gifts. 🙂
Yes. And you use them well.
Congratulations, you should be very proud of your accomplishments Audrey!
Honors not sought
are the most precious and dear,
still yet while these honors
we hold to us near
are they not in the end
just the foam on the beer?
Drink up Audrey! Drink up!
Thank you. And make that a craft beer, Jake.
Love your poem.
And a craft beer it is for you and a good old Bud for me that I now raise in your honor now as we “speak” SALUTE!
Cheers, Jake!
What exciting news Audrey! Congratulations. I’m happy for you!
Thank you, Valerie.
Beautiful 🙂 I love poetry, however; I have never mastered writing poetry. Happy Day – Enjoy!
Hey, we poets need readers. So keep appreciating and reading poetry.
OMG Audrey this to me would be one of the highest honors to have your poetic form set to song for all the world to hear. Wow I am so impressed maybe you can record this via YOUTUBE and send to your readers a link.your son can assist on the how to
Congratulations
I know the concerts will be recorded. So hopefully this will be available on YouTube.
Thank you for the congrats. I’m excited.
I’d be there with bells on… if only I didn’t live more than twelve hours away!! What an honor!! Enjoy this wonderful event!
Oh, Lori, so sweet of you to say you would be there. Thanks for your enthusiastic support.
How exciting!!!!! You are an awesome “word artist”!!!!! I so wish I could take in one of the presentations. Relish each moment (and take it in for me, too, please……………)!!!!!!!
Thank you, Doreen. I like that “word artist.”
It is so “you”!!!!!
Awwwww…
;-D
Congratulations; someone heard the music in your poetry and now so will many more people. Wow!
Thank you, Bernadette.
Oh my goodness that’s pretty cool
Thank you. I am excited.
Oh what an honor Audrey….I know a famous person!!! Your talents are never-ending. Rick and I hope to join you on March 26th, maybe we could do and appetizer or early dinner if you have time after the program?
Oh, I was so hoping you and Rick could attend the concert. Yes, we should do something afterward; we’ll need to eat. And it would be great to spend time with the two of you. We’ll connect nearer the date on details.
Sounds good….excited!
I’ll see you on Sunday, Audrey!!
Yes! I look forward to the concert and hearing all of the poems, including yours. Congratulations!