Nathan Hassall’s Final Poet Laureate Message 08.13.25

Dear Poets and Poetry Enthusiasts,

Tomorrow, we celebrate, via “Changing of the Verse,” the introduction of Malibu’s 2025-2027 Poet Laureate, Charlotte Ward (pictured above).

We will also be celebrating the release of our poetry broadsides, hearing poems from our previous and very soon-to-be new Poet Laureate, celebrating the release of the community anthology, Transformation, and celebrating the unveiling of the Poetry Broadsides, where our Poet Laureates collaborated with local artists on creating a unique art piece that includes on it art and poetry.

Please find details for tomorrow’s event in the image below.

Before you do, I’d like to say a few things.

I cannot, in all my fullness, express truly how special it has been to serve as Malibu’s Poet Laureate over the last two years, and my heart is full from all the love, support, and fostering of the poetic nature of a community with all of you who have been involved, near and far. I couldn’t be happier with the work Rachael and I achieved with the help of every last one of you, and how all the readings, workshops, and other events panned out. For those who want to relive any of the live events, such as the Caffeinated Verse reading series (which includes features like former US Poet Laureate, Robert Hass), and events like the Summit (which featured many local poets as well as California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick), as well as poetry podcast interviews, how-to-write poetry videos, and more, they are all housed on The Poetry Vessel with Nathan Hassall YouTube channel.

People have asked me what it’s like to finish a term as Poet Laureate. Here’s the truth: the position is as demanding as it is rewarding. My feelings are multifaceted: grateful, relieved, sad, optimistic, loving, proud, excited, and more. I’ve grown both personally and professionally beyond the farthest reaches of my imagination, and I've watched many of you grow tremendously during my tenure. I will continue my community and world work in the art of poetry, fostering the growth and development of poets and others through the work Rachael and I do, which includes online workshops, courses, in-person events, one-on-one instruction, YouTube, podcasts, and the publication of my books, among other endeavors. If you’re interested in any of these things, or have suggestions of what you’d like to see more of, please respond to this email and let me know — I always read responses and am always open to suggestions.

A word on our new Poet Laureate: Charlotte Ward. Charlotte is a force. She’s an incredible poet, a delightful intellect, thoughtful, sharp-witted, kind, and lives and breathes poetry. I’m sure all of you in this community are aware of that, but for those who do not know Charlotte, I can say that the Poet Laureate tradition — with the metaphorical (and physical!) laurels passing on — it couldn’t be going to better hands, or a better heart.

The release of Charlotte’s new book, Atmosphere: Infinite Malibu, which features her poems and her son, Chris Ward’s, incredible photography of the ocean, capturing it through various moods and seasons, and includes astro-photography of the moon, nebulae, and more, is a testament to their skilled and collaborative artistic talent, vision, and execution. It's a stunning book, and I highly recommend getting a copy. We at The Poetry Vessel have a podcast planned with Charlotte soon, so stay tuned for that.

Without further ado, please (attend our) Thursday, 14th August event, which takes place at 4 PM, at Malibu City Hall.

With love and gratitude for what has happened, for what is happening, and for what is to come in the world of poetry, I thank you all.

Best always,

Nathan Hassall