I have been listening to great music today, and reading great poetry and literature for the last week or so. As I type, “Ride of the Valkyries” is thundering from the speakers on my 'puter. I have all the musical ability of a cow, so I accept that such work is beyond my ken. I do however enjoy using words, and flatter myself that I am fairly good at it. Why can’t I write moving poetry like the ones that I enjoy? Why can’t I pen a book like Animal Farm? ( “amd the animals outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig and back again, but already it was impossible to tell which was which”<----paraphrase, but I’m close) I have written one poem on this board, and while I think it was OK, I doubt english lit classes in 100 years will be discussing “Ode to Bob the Clown”.( tracer, if you read this, thank you so much for pointing out the poignent way the poem could refer to Wally. I never noticed. BTW- the 11 wives was a desperite reach for a rhyme.:D)
Truthfully, I know the answers, but this is a pitiful and weak rant against a god who gave me just enough talent to apreciate such magnificent works, but not enough to duplicate them. Damn. Damn. Damn.
You’re already one in a million. Why yearn for one in a billion?
Sad. 
I know how you feel Dave. But, after reading your flame in the Banner thread in the pit, I think you may be down-playing your talent somewhat! 
I agree with Demo…that flame was a work of art.
Rose
dave, you are very talented. You have proven yourself to be quite eloquent in many posts. Please don’t put yourself down like that.
{{{{{{weirddave}}}}}}
BTW, are you still smober? How are you doing with that? Need a sponsor, a hug, a gripe, whatever?
Hey Dave,
I know the feeling. To be fair though, it’s better than not having enough talent to appreciate great works. The main character in Vonegut’s Bluebeard had the same problem. His theory was that when humans lived in small tribes, it was useful to have talented people of various types. Now that we live in a global village though, we only need a couple dozen really talented people. The marginally talented are out of luck.
His solution was to go for pop art. Have you considered writing some pulp fiction? Either that or just keep entertaining us in the message boards.
Hi dave. I must say, I really liked that poem you wrote. It was really funny. And the flame that a few others are referring to was truly amazing, ruthless, funny, creative… you get the point. Now some will say that the ability to compose great works of word is one that comes naturally. I tend not to believe this. I think you just need to find your inspiration. My poems, shorties, song lyrics, and “books” all come from an inspiration, not a natural ability. No, I’m not a professional writer. But I’m good at what I do as a hobby because I have an inspiration, that being anything that drastically changes my mood. The reason this inspires me is because when something happens, be it an unexpected downpour in the middle of my cook out, the birth of a baby, (I wrote my first and only novel when my nephew was born) or the death of my best friend, I’m racked with emotions. To release these emotions, I pick up a pen and I write. If you really want to write, all you need to do is find your niche.