Paso Robles Hosts Local Poets for Evening of Reflection and Laughter

Poets at Paso Robles Poetry Reading

PASO ROBLES, Calif. — Paso Robles residents gathered at Studios on the Park on Friday at 5 p.m. to hear from four San Luis Obispo County poets, including Poet Laureate Dr. Caleb Nichols, English professor Kevin Clark, author Dian Sousa, and poet Jacqueline Berger.

Each poet read selections from their published works, sharing poems that touched on themes of nostalgia, morality, climate change, and human connection. The performances energized the crowd, drawing laughter, gasps and applause throughout the evening.

Berger opened the event with her poem Moral Injury, in which she reflected on society’s normalization of watching disturbing real-world events—like war—through screens. She suggested that social media has consumed much of our attention, reducing our emotional response to such content. Berger, who often writes by observing her surroundings, also read Stairmaster, a poem comparing her own aging body to a younger woman’s. In it, she muses that confidence may be tied to how women present themselves at the gym, contrasting revealing outfits with more modest ones.

Sousa followed with Not My Chicken, Not My Ontology, a humorous narrative poem recounting a run-in with her neighbor, Mike, who holds a grudge against a chicken named Tank—whom Sousa insists is not hers. Her comedic timing and vivid storytelling drew big laughs from the audience.

Professor Clark presented a range of poems focused on nostalgia, morality and personal hardship, including his own experience with cancer. In Elegy for Seductions, he reflected on the moments he would miss with his wife if he were to die. Another poem, Are the Children Playing Catch in the Evening of No Warning?, explored parental anxiety and the fears we carry for our children. His vulnerable, contemplative style evoked a quiet, emotional resonance in the room.

To reenergize the audience after an hour of readings, Poet Laureate Dr. Nichols invited attendees to join in a brief yelling session. In addition to their laureate duties, Nichols runs the mobile bookstore SLO Book Bike and performs with their band. Since being appointed six months ago, Nichols has organized multiple poetry events to bring San Luis Obispo County writers and readers together.

Nichols began with Stop Scrolling, a poem urging listeners to be more present rather than fixated on what they lack. Their work often explores relationships between people, places and landscapes. In Hunting for the Northern Lights Near Trefor, Nichols shared a fleeting, intimate moment set in North Wales.

At the end of the reading, the audience gave the poets a standing ovation, purchased poetry books, and spoke with the writers. When asked about their passion for the laureate role, Nichols reflected on the connection between art and social purpose.

“I had to do something for the world,” they said. “In my undergrad, I did social science. I couldn’t hang with doing a degree that felt useless. I needed to do social justice—but then I was like, I want to be an artist, and isn’t that doing something for the world?”

Their focus as poet laureate is rooted in community-building—offering a space for people to find solace through poetry during uncertain times.

Nichols plans to host more readings throughout the county and posts event updates on The Book Bike’s social media pages for locals to stay informed.