What a privilege it’s been for me to serve poetry and You, the residents of Santa Clara County, as your Poet Laureate these past nearly three years! It’s been a blast, and I think we accomplished a lot of good things together: the Favorite Poems project, Poetry on the Move, our beautiful Invention: Poetry on the Move Anthology, as well as readings, talks, and events, all the ways that our paths have crossed. Unforgettable.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to get to know you, for your kind attention, for your time and support, and most of all for your love of poetry that helps make our County, and the world, thriving and vital. And keeps the little wheels turning in my heart.
You are in good hands! Expect to hear from Santa Clara County Poet Laureate David Perez sometime very soon. He’ll give the blog a new look, and I know he has more in store for you than that. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you’d like to keep up with my shenanigans, you can check in at The Bloggery (sallyashton.com) where I’ll be posting my event calendar and various musings in the days ahead. Follow the blog, and you’ll get updates as they appear.
One of my favorite poems at times of transitions such as this is Emily Dickinson’s #76. The poem speaks to the excitement and mystery of leaving the known world, whether on a real journey or a journey of the imagination.
Exultation is the going
Of an inland soul to sea,
Past the houses—past the headlands—
Into deep Eternity—
Bred as we, among the mountains,
Can the sailor understand
The divine intoxication
Of the first league out from land?
But as in all good things, “going” is both happy and sad. As David and I sail out on our next adventures, he as Laureate, me as poet and friend, I know we both look forward to seeing you soon at upcoming events. Cheers!
Sally Ashton
Santa Clara County Poet Laureate
2011-2013, Over and out!
Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Blog 
Happy to be Comment #1! What a fabulous time it’s been with you as Poet Laureate, Sally. You’ll still be reading (January 21st at Montalvo for one) and writing. I expect a new book in short order, as laureate duties are over. Welcome to a quieter world and a little time to yourself.
It’s been so nice getting to know you as Poet Laureate, Sally, and I look forward to seeing you at future poetry and arts events. Congratulations on a wonderful (almost) three years! I especially love the Poetry on the Move anthology–thank you so much for making that happen. See you at Montalvo!
I’ve loved being part of the excitement of your tenure as Poet Laureate. Thanks for the projects, the poetry, the blog itself, your creativity in all you’ve done. Hope you can rest on your laurels a bit, so to speak, before heading off to the next life adventure.
What a wonderful laureateship, Sally. I’ve really enjoyed your projects in these past few years. Many of them were original and I was glad to experience them on a personal level. Looking forward to your new poems!
Best, always. Pushpa
Hi Sally, Congratulations on a job well done. I have enjoyed looking at your posts and will continue to check out your blog. Best wishes as you continue on………. ‘ Hugs from Roseann