It’s a new day. Yesterday my professor was absent, so I naturally ran
out the building. I called Jess la chica rock and yelled "put me on the
list, Ima get on the train right now." After we spoke for another 3
minutes I jumped in the first car of the 5 train, stood at the corner
facing the wall, and began to read my poem aloud. I was nervous, and
for the moment those feelings could only increase. As I walked in and
greeted familiar faces, my hands froze. Since I had no idea when I was
going to be called, I ducked out on the first open mic-er, went to the
back of the coat closet, and called her. Her phone was off and I
received a voice mail. I left a message saying all the things I felt.
I made sure she knew that I thanked her for being my muse for this
piece. I could have never invented a situation as magical as that
night.
I said all of this on the message. I hung up the phone, sat back at the
bar, and nursed my second Manhattan after I swallowed the first. My
name did not get called right away and every name that went before me
created another degree of all kinds of nervous. I was shaking. The
alcohol helped but my anticipation had me nervous.
Finally I am introduced as a Bronxite, and a hardcore acentos
fanatic (supporter). Some how, some way, I wasn't as nervous when I got
up there. Well I was concentrating on being able to see the pages under
those lights. They were really difficult. I couldn't really see faces
in the crowd either.
I read, they clapped. Wow. Whoa.. I was high. The first hand that
found mine when I left the stage was the professor's hand. See him tell
me that it was really really good, lifted me either. Jess said that she
was proud of me. Last night many people felt the need to tell me that
my poem was good, or great. I loved it. Once again it made me high.
The only question that threw me off balance was when I was asked why the
girl was Italian. I simply answered, that she is real, and she is
Italian.
I called her again a few minutes later and left another message telling
her all that happened, and thanking her again for the inspiration. I
didn't hear back from her until I reached home. She was very excited
and confessed that I occupied her mind for a great portion of her day.
This made me smile.
Wow what a night. And I thought all of these great nights ended with
my great weekend. What a streak.