Acclaimed poet returns home to Winona

It's been many years since poet Mark Wunderlich was growing up along the banks of the Mississippi in Fountain City, Wis., a rural town just north of Winona, Minn.

But he's returning to Winona today for a special occasion: to read his work for the first time in front of his parents.

Wunderlich now lives on the East Coast, where he teaches at Bennington College in Vermont. He's earned several fellowships and awards for his poetry, and his third book of poems, "The Earth Avails" was published last year by Graywolf Press.

Wunderlich talked to MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about poetry, family and what it's like to come home.

If you go: Mark Wunderlich at The Book Shelf, Winona

• When: Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m.
• Where: The Book Shelf, Winona
• More information from The Book Shelf: Following Mark's reading will be our ever-popular open mic session for local writers. There is a strict 5-minute time limit for each participant.