Poetry has a peculiar effect on everyday life. Whether it's one of Shakespeare's convoluted sonnets or a heartfelt message to a loved one, it's hard to argue against poetry's use as a means of expression. Few individuals in the southern Minnesotan area have used this art form as effectively as Anne Haynes, who recently compiled several poems into a book for charity. Since her early beginnings on a Nerstrand farm, Anne used writing to extinguish the fear and worry she felt as a kid. As her knack for writing continued to develop, she proceeded to write poetry and plays as early as the 4th grade, though not without difficulties. Because of the many health problems surrounding her and her family, she found it difficult to continue writing amidst diabetes and multiple kidney transplants. However, these setbacks would not thwart her dream of publishing her book, Bees in the Lavender: Reflections of a Life, to raise money for charity. Below is just one of its many poems, followed by the incredible details behind Anne's story.
Swirling, twirling, windswept leaves.
Dancing, floating on the breeze.
Browns and golds blanket the grass.
Earth's insulation against winter's mass.
Before writing this and many other poems, Anne grew up on a farm near the Valley Grove Church in Nerstrand, Minnesota. Fueled by her childhood fears and worries, she began writing snippets of poetry wherever she could. Whether it be her father's old milk slips, paper towels, or chalkboard, nothing was out of the question. Her first poem was written in the 4th grade when she stopped to admire her family's creek. As if the beginning of a grand domino chain, this small step led to further poems and eventually a play for her town's elementary school. It soon attracted the attention of Nerstrand's elementary school principal, Mr. Nelson, who allowed her to gather student actors and practice after class. To her 9-year-old self, the situation was quite ordinary, but a college professor later told her how unusual it was for a 4th grader to have written a short play. It would later go live for Minnesota's Parent-Teacher Association. Realizing her skill, her parents supported her every step of the way, buying supplies and allowing her to enter a local writing contest.
Anne Haynes: "My dad promised me, 'If you win this contest, I'll buy you a typewriter.' And so, at the table of our big family Christmas party, I wrote about how friends often seem more important than our parents as a teenager. At the end of the story, however, I realize the truth after seeing my mom and her 'soft aging cheeks' prepare for Christmas from outside. She loved the story, and I ended up winning the contest and getting that typewriter from it!"
Unfortunately, her dreams of writing were not without their challenges. In later years, Anne faced ongoing diabetes, brain lymphoma, and issues with her kidneys. To remedy this, she underwent two kidney transplants and cases of sepsis, causing her to go on dialysis and put a hold on her dreams of poetry and theater. After a successful transplant left her without diabetes for two years, she used her newfound energy and health to write the play "Life in Motion." It aimed to connect organ donors and their families to those needing a transplant. Through the help of the volunteers they worked with, Life in Motion ran for six shows and attracted the attention of the late director of U of M's pancreas transplant program, Dr. Sutherland. With his help, she was allowed to perform a short version of the play at the U of M's Medical Center. Other playwriters have since performed and used it to create their own stories surrounding organ donation.
Although she bears responsibility for much of their success, plays like The Newspaper wouldn't have been possible without the help of Anne's colleague Bob. When he flew by helicopter to receive a critical heart transplant, he recalled seeing "five Bobs" riding up to the hospital with him. Inspired by the story, Anne asked him for permission to use the story for the future "5Bobs" play that would eventually air at the Waseca High School. Since Bob's crucial transplant, Anne helped connect him with the EMT helicopter support that bore a part in his surgery. Even if it's just with a single sentence, being able to create moments like these is the only motivation she needs to continue writing. To her, the obvious next step from here was to achieve her lifelong dream of creating a book, but ongoing health issues continued to hinder the idea. With help from Libby Barth, however, she managed to self-publish a curated collection of some of her poems titled Bees in the Lavender: Reflections of a Life. Many of its pages take inspiration from Anne's family memories and hardships.
"During this time, I faced many unfortunate events. My brother Steven died on our farm; my parents left us; my dad had diabetes, and my mom suffered from Alzheimer's. But I realized what was necessary to enjoy life and haven't looked back! It's easy to let fear and worry can cripple you, but you must never give up. Ask God to show you the way, and he will help you to try, try, and try again."
Only two years ago, Anne became completely deaf, but a recent cochlear implant has allowed her to hear once again. Despite her multiple health problems, Anne managed to do what many people don't. From a desire to learn and grow, she fulfilled her dreams and showed that limitations are simply perceptions. Beyond their entertainment, plays like Life in Motion act as a bridge to connect those needing critical transplants with the people kind enough to make it happen. Meanwhile, her poems directly support those in need while reminding us of the beauty of nature and life. If Anne's incredible story has a silver lining, it's never to let anything stand between ourselves and our ambitions. Ultimately, poetry and plays can do much more than entertain; they have the power to change lives.
Anne is selling Bees in the Lavender: Reflections of a Life for $10.00 each, excluding shipping, to help others. You can get a copy by contacting her at ahay2@outlook.com or 14750 Kendall Ct., Nerstrand, MN, 55053.
