When I quit my job as editor-in-chief of the literary magazine I had dreamed up and led for 14 years, I was feeling pretty burnt out and cynical about the whole writing/reading thing.

And actually, I think I took a break from reading anything for awhile. I watched a lot of TV and movies and listened to podcasts.  

But I was also starting to write more poetry and thankgod I found Tony Hoagland. 

His poems are narrative and hilarious and self-deprecating and wise and kind, and he reminded me of what I loved about reading and writing, which I won't even bother to try and put into a phrase here because it wouldn't be accurate. But I can say that its essence is in Tony Hoagland's poetry. 

Tony had cancer and died on Oct. 23, 2018. 

And when I was going through a particularly dark time a few years ago, I got a nudge to print out a picture of Tony and to ask for help. 

I happen to believe that cosmic assistance is available to us all from realms beyond ours, and that the saints and awakened ones are able to help.

Tony is one of the saints or awakened one I celebrate and honor and I have felt his trickster energy and his deep compassion supporting me in my own life. 

Today is his feast day so I wanted to share one of his kind trickster poems, "Distant Regard." 

May we go forward like water, 
Brianna

P.S. And the image above is a photo of my little feast-day celebration for Tony. (And here's the full "No Thank You" poem, which is also very good.)