“The longer we live, the more complex life becomes, the vaster seems its possibilities and limitations, and the more we have to admit the deep nature of our ignorance” — Richard Eberhart

As some of you know, Richard Eberhart was a product of Austin and one of the most admired poets. His poems have won the Pulitzer, Harriet Monroe Memorial, Sheeley Memorial, and Bollinger prizes, among others.

A favorite book of mine is his “Of Poetry and Poets,” with a foreword by James Dickey. He grew up in the house kitty-corner from where we live before moving a few blocks north. What concerns me is his lack of recognition in the community.

I’m hoping someday a group of citizens will come together and erect a sculpture of Richard sitting on a park bench near the entrance of the high school, the same Austin High School he graduated from. Perhaps with a student figure sitting with him “listening to him read.”

Last week, I quoted another poet who said, “High school is where poetry goes to die.” Perhaps a statue of Mr. Eberhart and the knowledge of him could turn that around, at least in Austin.

“Of Poetry and Poets” has a collection of 23 essays and critical studies. And that’s all I have to say about that.

The senior center sponsored a “Spam Day” at the capitol generated from a discussion held a while back between Evie Mohrfeld and Rep. Jeanne Poppe at a dinner while Jerry and I listened.

Last Tuesday, at 8:12 a.m., I boarded the motorcoach scheduled to leave at 8:15 for the capitol, thinking I might be the last to board. I found a seat by Randy, my “bohemian” friend. Evie, who made most of the arrangements through the senior center, was waiting for a special guest to arrive. Unfortunately, Evie was suffering from laryngitis and was very soft spoken in what she had to say. Jerry was there by her side to assist with the roll call and answer questions.

We waited a few minutes more for Angie McDermott, Austin’s own Miss Minnesota, to arrive with a front row seat awaiting her. Once Angie boarded, the motor coach drove down the road behind the King Buffet and then we were heading north on 218, into a high-speed wind angling at us. Something our able-bodied driver and former Freeborn County sheriff managed behind the wheel.

As we were making our way north, Angie stood up, with microphone in hand, and began posing questions about Minnesota, preventing me from reading the Star Tribune. Like most men, I can’t multi-task. Angie also shared events along the way of her life in the Miss America pageant. She also shared some awkward moments that occurred and answered questions from the riders.

Before long, we were pulling up to the capitol. There, Rep. Poppe and Sen. Dan Sparks greeted us, along with their aides. Once in the capitol we were told that we would be meeting first in a room on the next level. I stayed back with a few of the elders who preferred to take the elevator as opposed to the massive steps.

I pushed second floor. When we got off the elevator there was no one in sight from the walking majority. We roamed around looking for the others. Then Sharon Zaharris, who was there with her mother said, “There they are,” pointing to the floor below a couple different times.

Eventually, we were reunited in Room 112 on the first level, which was the next level above the main floor. The second floor was really the third floor or something confusing like that.

Following the presentation by Jeanne and Dan and questions asked, people were free to make choices of where to go next, most went on the capitol tour. I was directed by Sen. Sparks’ aide to the tax session room, where I was impressed with Sen. John Marty’s thoughts and questions.

We later lunched together in another building where we bumped into former Rep. Rob Leighton.  Then it was on to the defense department building with its ‘capitol view,’ along with a history of the war monuments surrounding the center.

Photographs were taken in the House of Representatives chamber and a parting photo was shot on the capitol steps with Miss Minnesota singing the national anthem while wearing her crown with all of us clutching our Poppy Spam packets.

It was a day well spent for $10 — not including the food.