Forgetting My Journal

by Alexander P. Garza

I did the worst thing a writer could do:
Forgot to pack my journal in my bag,
My book of incantations across town,
I’m forced to interact, to be present.
It means I have no escape, no recuse,
Demeanor resembling some sense of truth,
Offering a handshake, a nod, a smile,
Supposedly teaching future leaders.
The students ask me why I am so sad,
I shake it off, explain it’s not that bad,
Mercutio was right about Queen Mab
Disseminating dreams from chariots.
Forcing conversations and gleaning hope,
My book of secrets still remains at home,

Alexander P. Garza is a writer, actor, and educator from Houston, TX. His work can be seen in The Ekphrastic Review, Amethyst Review, Penwood Review, Magnolia Review (forthcoming), Nine Muses Poetry (forthcoming), Little Rose Magazine, Ariel Chart, Literal Magazine, and Broadway World Houston. He has worked on and offstage at The Alley Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Main Street Theater, and Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Company. Visit him on Instagram/Twitter, @alexanderpgarza, and on his website http://www.alexanderpgarza.com.