I remember when Mayor Jonathan Rothschild first announced that the city would begin the search for a new Poet Laureate.
To be honest, Rebecca Sieferle, our last poet laureate wasn't someone I had connected with over the years. However, I was thrilled when it was announced last month during the Tucson Festival of Books that TC Tolbert would be our next poet laureate. While not someone I know personally, I've watched Tolbert these past 10 years grow beautifully as a poet and transgender activist. In our cover story this week, I mention my observation to Tolbert that over that time I always felt here was someone who embraced life in all it's joy. I said that with envy. Tolbert reminded me, albeit nicely, that being an observer is cool and all, but hey, with joy comes an equal amount of suffering.
Well, of course, that's life. That's poetry. I'm proud of Tolbert being named our city's Poet Laureate. Tolbert's right when s/he says in our interview that Tucson is already filled with many people who are poetry champions, but s/he's one with a voice that's inspired those same champions s/he refers to, as well as several generations of transgender poets to write and celebrate, too. I look forward to what Tolbert does in this capacity. I look forward to some peaceful poet warriors taking over our streets.
Cheers, to Suffering
News of Kathryn Ferguson's passing reached Tucson Weekly headquarters as we were getting ready to go to press. Next week, Margaret Regan will have a story for us on Ferguson and her love of the Tumacacori mountains and work helping put out water and food for migrants walking through our desert. As we go to press, our hearts go out to Ferguson's friends, family and fellow Samaritans.
— Mari Herreras, mari@tucsonlocalmedia.com
