Category Justin Hamm

Apr 9 2026

Justin Hamm joins David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center on May 5

Hi everyone,

Missouri has had eight poets laureate and three of us will be reading during the program on May 5, KAREN CRAIGO (5), DAVID HARRISON (7), and JUSTIN HAMM (8). Justin is coming down from Mexico, Missouri, a three hour drive. I’ve heard him read his poetry and look forward to his appearance 30 days from now. Not long ago he got all seven of the state’s surviving poets laureate together via Zoom for the first time. Quite a feat.

Justin has only recently returned to work following heart surgery. Here’s what he sent me for an introduction. I know he could have said much more.

Justin Hamm is the current Missouri Poet Laureate. He has published five books of poems, and a book of photographs. He also works as the librarian at Eugene Field Elementary School in Mexico, Missouri. 

Feb 24 2026

7 Missouri Poets Laureate read tomorrow

Hi everyone,

Two weeks ago I told you that Missouri Poet Laureate JUSTIN HAMM has planned a Zoom reading on February 26 that is free to the public and will feature each of our state’s living poets laureate reading selected poems from their work. The event is now at hand: tomorrow night beginning at 7:00. It is free but Justin asks that if you want to attend, please contact him at justinhamm2002@gmail.com to get the link. Today I’ll make my final selections and practice reading them aloud. I hope to see some of you tomorrow night.

The lineup will be, though not necessarily in this order, JUSTIN HAMM (#8, 2025-2027), DAVID L. HARRISON (#7, 2023-2025), MARYFRANCES WAGNER (#6, 2021-2023), KAREN CRAIGO (#5, 2019-2021), ALIKI BARNSTONE (#4, 2016-2019), WILLIAM (BILL) TROWBRIDGE (#3, 2012-2016)), and WALTER BARGEN (#1, 2008-2010). This will be the first time that all of us have come together to introduce ourselves, read a few of our poems, and respond to questions from the audience. Kudos to Justin!

Oct 2 2025

And on we go

Hi everyone,

My congratulations to JUSTIN HAMM of Mexico, Missouri for being named as Missouri’s new Poet Laureate. I look forward to learning more about the man and poet as his term unrolls. You can check the Missouri Arts Council site to learn more about Justin. https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-announces-justin-hamm-missouri-poet-laureate

To all who have been so kind to me throughout my term, I’ll never be able to fully express my gratitude. It has been a remarkable and memorable experience in my life and you have made it so. My thank-you is sent with love. This morning I’ll get back to work on a book for Stenhouse that I’m doing with my good friend and colleague, MARY JO FRESCH. And on we go.