Blank Verse is a reading series that supports diverse writers of all ages, levels, genres and performance styles including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and spoken word. Each event will feature local poetry and prose writers, and time for open mic and conversation.

Blank Verse is sponsored by Cracked Walnut, a chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets, which aims to generate love for live literature, community, and creativity.

Featured Readers: 

Nick Theisen resides in Minneapolis, MN, though at heart he belongs to the pine forests of Northern Minnesota. Interested in themes of wilderness, interbeing and belonging, mythic imagination, and the ecological soul, his writing seeks a renewed relationship with mystery and the offering of an invitation to move in new ways, which may in actuality be old ways. In his non-writing time Nick works as an afterschool program coordinator. He is currently working on his first poetry manuscript and his work can be found at woodlandhearth.substack.com

Jessi Marie is a mental health nurse, a disabled combat veteran, and is currently in graduate school at Walden University. She is a member of Warrior Writers and serves on the board for the Minnesota League of Poets and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. She is also a 2019 Minnesota Humanities Veteran Voices awardee, and a 2023 Tillman Scholar. Her most recent publications have been with Nodin Press, the Cuddy Foundation, and Middle West Press. Her first full collection of military poetry, The Time War Takes, is now out. Her poetry has been described as powerful, beautiful, and gut-wrenching as it bears witness to the unfiltered human experience. She is a scrabble nerd, lover of charcuterie boards, interior design, and the mama to 3 amazing daughters.

Sarah Koper writes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Her poem “Moonwalker” is engraved on a sculpture by the same name located on the St. Cloud State University campus. “Baseball Bits #2,” a haiku, was published in “A View from the Loft” (2001). “Searching for Answers,” a poem, was selected for Hazelden’s Conference on Healing. In a separate viewing this poem accompanied a traveling art display of paintings depicting the artist’s experience as a victim of child abuse. The poem was written to tell the artist’s story of survival. Her first book is “Potholes: A Collection of Poems, Quotes, and Cameos.” Her children’s story, “The Rabbit Roared,” received Honorable Mention in the Children’s/Young Adult Category of the 90th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Minnesota has been her home since 1992, St. Paul since 2000, and she has no intentions of living anywhere else. Sarah is cofounder of “Soapstone Writers Collective.”

Robert McClain was Born in Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Saint Paul fifty to attend college in the late ’60s. Robert decided to carve out a life for himself in the creative and cultural communities of the Twin Cities. More specifically in the Summit-University, (Rondo), and Frogtown neighborhoods. Robert spends a good part of his time exploring creative endeavors through photography, writing, and music. He has written and published poetry, short stories and essays in a number of community publications such as the “St. Paul Almanac. Robert is a co-founder of “Soapstone Writers Collective”.

Barry MacDonald goes by the dharma name “Tekkan,” which means “Iron Man” in 12th century Japanese. Tekkan indicates a “settled practitioner of great determination.” He was given name when he took Buddhist vows.  He lived in Japan for 9 years, teaching English at the Berlitz Corporation in Kyoto. He practiced Zen at Hosshin-ji, a Zen temple in Obama — a small town on the coast of the Sea of Japan. He has written 43 books: Everyday Mind I-XXXV; and An Exploration of Consciousness I-VIII. His books can be found on Amazon by using the book filter and typing “Tekkan Everyday Mind.”

Anoka County Library strives to ensure that all visitors are able to access library resources, services, and programs. Assistive technology and program accommodations are available at many library locations as outlined here. Please call the library branch hosting the program at least two weeks prior to an event if there are additional accommodations we can provide for you to fully participate.