We had the good fortune of connecting with Reginald Forest and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reginald, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, I do not see it as a career choice. To me it’s just me living my life. Being a true creative, I learned, isn’t something you can just easily turn off. It will find a way out in whatever you do. So for me rather than fight what comes naturally, I chose to embrace it. In doing so I am much happier with myself because art, whether writing poetry, photography, or even cooking, is an outlet for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am most proud of finally publishing my book “Love’s Lost and Found.” It was 20+ years in the making. The oldest poem in the book, if I remember correctly, was written when I was like 17 in 1999. So say 1995-2010 ish. Each poem represents a moment of my life and struggle to find and keep love. That’s what “Love’s Lost and Found” is about, a quest to be loved. Seeking love from a semi absent parental figure then on to seeking love in a romantic partner, finding the love and then experiencing the ups and downs ultimately ending in a failed marriage. Each one was written during a moment of intense emotion and hopefully that emotion comes through in my work.

The road to now was far from easy in many aspects. The writing and photography was easily done as it is an innate part of me. However, the experiences that lead to the writing and photography were far from easy to live through. I overcame these challenges because I hold the belief that trouble doesn’t last always. Today may be crap, but tomorrow is another day to create the life you want, one day at a time.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way would be not to allow a 10 minute negative experience to define my day. Always looking for the bright side of things. And to always keep pushing forward, no matter what.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whew. Best time ever? In Mckinney? Nah we’d go into Dallas proper and make a day of it. We’d start with breakfast at Maple Leaf Diner in North Dallas. Then on to have a spa day complete with massages at Spa Castle in Carrollton. While at the spa, we’d have sushi for lunch. About 4 pm we’d leave then go have drinks at Ivy Tavern to get warmed up. About 6 we’d head out to start bar hopping around the town visiting places such as Tin Room, TMC, Marty’s Live, and Double Wide. We’d finish the night over in Fort Worth at Halo’s/Rainbow 2.0.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s three people that have been mentors in my journey with publishing my book. Dr. Patricia Demps, Terrence Forest, and Timothy Keys. Each of these people are authors and have been inspiring me to release my poetry.

Terrence, my younger cousin, has been cheering me on for years. Whether its my photography or poetry, he has always pushed me to do more and always cheered me on in all of my endeavors. Even though I had completed my collection of poems first, he managed to publish first. I did his editing and it is what ultimately inspired me to finally be vulnerable enough to release my poetry for the world to enjoy.

Timothy, a good friend of mine and also an author, has been very encouraging to me during the rough times that lead to the poems in my first book. He was also very supportive in the editing and publication process and even now continues to push me to advertise and promote my book whenever possible.

Dr. Patricia Demps, ah my “Twin.” She is the best motivator and cheerleader anyone can have. She has been in my life since 2015 or so and always pushed me to be the best version of myself. She has supported me in every endeavor, hardship, and accomplishment I have attempted or completed since we have known each other.

Instagram: @rforest2023

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553757664352

Image Credits
Gia Henderson, Adam Buska, Reginald Forest

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