Poems from
the north woods.

My father's parents were Finnish immigrants who homesteaded in Montana in 1890. My mother's parents, also Finnish immigrants, came to Northern Minnesota in 1925. I was born in Cloquet, Minnesota.

Received a B.S. from the University of Minnesota Duluth and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin Superior. Taught writing in the Minnesota Poets-In-The-Schools, Duluth public schools, and the College of St. Scholastica. Continue to teach writing family history workshops.

Published twelve books of poetry and, if not the great Finnish-American novel, a hybrid memoir. Twice honored as Poet Laureate of Duluth, Minnesota.

Now live in Decorah, Iowa, with the artist Crit Streed and maintain a cabin in Isabella, Minnesota.

Having spent time in the wild, I wanted to write about the wild, knowing that writing about the wild, both in place and in the mind, the mystery so difficult to understand, thus difficult to put into words, I felt poetry to be the closest form. In First Day Of Spring In Northern Minnesota, Yoik, and Text For Our Nomadic Future I wanted to write for the plants and animals of Northern Minnesota as we are all connected and need a voice, a vote, if we are ever to have equality and a future.

Writing about my Finnish-American culture was important not only in finding my identity but in realizing the importance of identity to so many. I understand why it is important to know your own culture in order to understand how culture is important to others. I tell students they have to write their stories if they want to remember them. I suppose that is what I have done.

And I have always wanted to be near rivers. I suppose I am in love with rivers. I know the blood flows through my veins the way blood flows through all plants, animals, even people, the same way rivers flow through all places.

— Jim Johnson