Area Voices: Verse Like Water poetry program reaches 14th year

BRAINERD — Poetry is one of the oldest forms of art in human existence.

Yet, for different and various reasons, audiences can still be intimidated about events like poetry readings. One of the goals of the Verse Like Water program at Central Lakes College in Brainerd is to show that poetry is an artform for everybody.

“The big passion in my life, after my faith and my family, is to create events that bring people together to experience beauty,” said Jeff Johnson, program director, on Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show. "That's exactly what every poetry reading that I organize and promote and host is about: growing poetry and bringing people's attention to beauty.”

Verse Like Water is now in its 14th year. The college has hosted over 50 different poets from across the nation, including Pulitzer Prize winners and U.S. poet laureates. It is fueled by Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Legacy funds through the Five Wings Arts Council and Minnesota State Arts Board.

The first Verse Like Water event of the season will be noon Wednesday, Oct. 8. Li-Young Lee will read at the Chalberg Theater at CLC. It will be his second time attending Verse Like Water.

Lee was born in Indonesia, and his father was the principal physician of Chairman Mao Zedong, until he ran afoul of Mao and was forced to leave. Lee’s family then found their way to America in the '60s.

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Jeff Johnson

Lee’s poetry explores the relationship between violence and culture. His words seem to wonder out loud if the connection is a necessity.

Johnson said, “But I really think he's at his absolute best when he's writing about his family. When he's writing about his beloved wife, and when he's writing about his parents.”

There will also be a welcome brunch, and every attendee will receive a hardcover copy of Lee’s latest book of poetry, The History of the Darling, thanks to the Olseth Family Foundation. There will also be a book signing and craft talk after the reading.

Later this year, Verse Like Water will host the U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, and current Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets Marie Howe.

Not just for faculty and students, the free poetry readings are open to everyone. Community members and high school students are often in attendance as well.

For some, poetry only shows up in life at emotional times, like weddings or funerals.

“There's a kind of compression with language, which creates an intensity that a prose stylist simply is not going to be able to achieve. ... A great poem helps us see the world better,” Johnson said.

Johnson added he thinks of poetry as equipment that can help people live their lives better. This is why he continues to work to change the minds of people who may think they’re anti-poetry. He said it’s OK to not fully grasp an entire poem. If people can relate to a line or two, that is enough to provide a life-changing experience.

Johnson also has advice for people who may feel intimidated about attending poetry events like Verse Like Water. First off, he said everyone should know the arts are for everyone.

“When we think about the arts, our culture kind of nudges us to imagine the idea that it's just for hipsters in the city who go to galleries dressed all in black ... looking at post-contemporary art that's generally lost its way. All they have to do is arrive with an open heart and be ready to accept and receive whatever happens.”

He also wants attendees to think of poets as regular people. There’s just an element of performance in what they do. There can be laughter, but also silence as well. That part can make people uncomfortable.

“My advice to your listeners is the same advice I give my students. Just inhabit the silence. Just let it wash over you and wait for the music of the poetry to begin again.”

Those curious about what the events are like can watch videos from previous Verse Like Water events that were available to stream during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson said the important thing to remember is to make the effort to show up.

“I tell my students this: it's so easy not to go. But they have to make the effort. Get up, go to the gallery, go watch the foreign film, and go to the crazy dance performance from New York. They’ve just got to make the effort.”

People can keep up to date on which poets to expect for Verse Like Water at the Central Lakes College website. Johnson is also hosting a statewide poetry contest on Nov. 8 with support from Lake Country Journal, Blue Flower Arts, The Crossing Arts Alliance and Five Wings Arts Council.

Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.

Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.