POETRY HOLDS POWER. And perhaps no time has that been more evident in Minnesota than during the massive federal immigration enforcement, Operation Metro Surge.
In January, poets from my area of southern Minnesota gathered to read original poetry at a “Words to Meet the Moment: Poetry Against Fascism” event in Northfield. I was in Wisconsin, unable to attend. But a poet friend, Becky Boling, read my two poems, “Death of a Poet” and “Fiery Resistance.”
Now those two poems and others read at The Grand Event Center in January have been printed in a chapbook, Words to Meet the Moment, published by Content Bookstore. That’s an independent, socially-conscious bookshop in the heart of historic downtown Northfield. Once printing costs have been covered, all proceeds from chapbook sales will be donated to the Northfield Community Action Center, a nonprofit serving the community.
The work of 20 poets, some of whom I know personally (and have read poetry with) or whom I’ve heard read, are printed therein. These are gifted poets, many with their own published collections of poetry. Several were previous poet laureates in Northfield.
All of us wrote in response to ICE’s presence in Minnesota and/or in reaction to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent on January 7. This was prior to the second fatal shooting, that of Alex Pretti, by ICE agents. Good was a poet, which makes this new chapbook especially meaningful.
Whether you like poetry or not, this is one collection you should read to better understand how we as Minnesotans, we as poets, have been feeling these past few months. Poetry holds power. It is a way to raise our voices against injustice, a way to express our thoughts, our feelings. A way to make a difference. A way to meet the moment.
FYI: To pre-order/order Words to Meet the Moment: Poetry Against Fascism, click here. The chapbook is priced at $10. Content Bookstore will ship the chapbook domestically for an additional cost of $4.99, the media mail book rate, plus an additional $1 per book shipped. Only one printing is planned, unless the chapbook sells quickly. Books will also be available for purchase in the store.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
That’s wonderful you were able to have your poems read at the event and now the chapbook. Congrats to you and all the poets who put their words into action.
As a journalist you understand and power and value of words written and spoken. Thank you for the congratulations.
how wonderful that your poems are in this book and that someone was able to read them aloud for you. this is such good way for the community to express and remember what has happened.
I’d like to support them and order 2 copies but only have them send me one and keep the money for the other as a donation. is there a way for me to communicate that so that they don’t send me both copies?
That is so sweet of you, Beth. Go to the Content Bookstore website and, on the home page, scroll to the bottom for “Contact us” information. You can either call or email. Calling might be better so you get an answer quickly. If you have any issues, email me privately.
This sounds like a powerful poetry book. I’d love to take a road trip to Northfield to visit the city, the bookstore, and buy this book.
You would love Northfield and Content Bookstore, Rose.
Sounds interesting, and a good idea. Congratulations on your pieces.
Zine – a new word for me.
Thank you, Valerie. The chapbook is selling quickly at Content. Hoping to pick up my copy soon.