Keillor, Students Unveil Poem

MONDAY, MAY 11, 12:30pm
"A Prairie Home Companion" host Garrison Keillor and area students dedicate a bronze plaque at the I-90 High Forest Safety Rest Area outside of Rochester, MN. The plaque features "A Blessing" by poet James Wright.

Audio of the MPR News Story by Art Hughes on the Dedication

Listen to Garrison Keillor recite "A Blessing" by James Wright.

This MNDoT news release contains more information about the dedication ceremony.

May 12 Star Tribune article.

About Garrison Keillor

A Prairie Home Companion

Writer's Almanac

A Blessing
BY JAMES WRIGHT

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly, I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.