POETRY, WHEN READ ALOUD, is, in many ways, like music. It presents one way on paper. But read a poem aloud, and it becomes a song. Music with rhythm, beat and emotion. Vocal intonations carry a poem to melodic heights.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22, the music of poetry will fill Books on Central in Faribault as Becky Boling reads from her first anthology, Here Beyond Small Wonders. Recently published by Finishing Line Press, this collection features detail-rich poems that often focus on ordinary subjects. It’s signature Boling, who is a prolific poet, served as Northfield’s co-Poet Laureate, and is retired from teaching Spanish and Latin American Literature at Carleton College in Northfield.
I love Boling’s writing. Her poems resonate with me in an everyday life kind of way. She has a visually-strong writing style—as most poets do—coupled with emotion-evoking poetry that prompts memories, questions, deeper thinking.
Boling has invited four other poets to join her at Thursday’s reading. Those include her husband, D.E. Green, also an accomplished poet; Northfield poet Heather Candels; Faribault poet Larry Gavin; and me. I’m honored to join this gifted group of writers in reading our poems aloud. I will read right after Boling.
I’ve previously listened to all of them read, so I can vouch for how much I’ve enjoyed hearing them. Gavin, especially, has a rich radio voice that makes me want to settle in and let his voice pull me into his writing.
Now, as I’m preparing for this Thursday evening event, I’m paging through the many books in which my poetry has published, selecting the poems I want to read during my allotted five minutes. Then I’ll practice reading those poems aloud, using my voice to create poetic music.
FYI: Books on Central, 227 Central Avenue North, Faribault, hosts periodic free literary events to celebrate authors and to draw people into this volunteer-run used bookstore operated by Rice County Area United Way. All proceeds benefit select nonprofits in the county. It’s a beautiful small space (complete with a centering chandelier) housed in a former jewelry store.
To read my review of Becky Boling’s anthology, click here. And click here to read my review of We Look West, which also includes her poetry and that of D.E. Green and Heather Candels. To read a Q & A I did with Larry Gavin in 2011, click here.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Congratulations. How exciting; let us know which poems you choose to read.
Thank you, Bernadette. I need to get on that this afternoon and choose the final poems to read. I’ve pulled out options, but need to pick yet.
I can hardly wait until tomorrow to listen to all the lovely poetry!!
I’m excited to read, to listen and to meet you, Rose.
how wonderful, and a lovely honor for each of you to be included. there is something very special about hearing poetry read aloud.
You are right about poetry read aloud. I think I have my poems chosen. With only five minutes to read, it really proved difficult to pick from among my many published poems.
I’m sure it was a challenge to have to choose. I think that the difference in a poem being read out loud is that you also have the added element of the hearing the poet’s emotion through their actual voice. another level of sensory experience. I hope this makes sense.
It absolutely makes sense. I felt my emotions emerging as I practiced reading my poems yesterday, and again this morning. That was especially true of my poem, “Hit-and-Run,” which is about my son being struck by a car while crossing the street to his bus stop. That was nearly 20 years ago and, reading my words, it felt like yesterday.
reading the written word aloud brings a whole new dimension to the piece. I find narrating such a relaxing experience. Break a leg!
Thank you. And, yes, reading aloud enhances the written word.
Congratulations! What a great honor and great event. Sorry I can’t make it this time but know you will do great.
Awww, thank you. And thank you for attending my poetry reading many years ago, despite Chris’ reservations about me. 🙂
He still is a bit iffy about you. 😆
LOL. It’s a good story we can still laugh about today. Imagine me stuffing you into the trunk of a car. 🙂
I am excited for this event!!
Oh, yeah, glad you can attend. Be sure to introduce yourself to me. Would love to chat for a bit afterwards.
Know your reading is wonderful. I just know!
The poetry reading went well. So fun to read with other gifted poets to an appreciative audience.
I know you were wonderful.
[…] Blogger friend Audrey Kletscher Helbling was invited to read her poetry, along with other poets, at the launch of Becky Boling’s recently published anthology, Here Beyond Small Wonders. Here’s Audrey’s post on the poetry event: Poetry Reading Featuring 5 Poets at Books on Central […]