Humble Pie, Anyone

NOTE: This blog entry was erased because it was deemed "inflammatory". So I ask you, the audience: did this blog deserve to be erased? Let us read on as I have included it in my poetry section... Poets, writers, and artists who are good at what they do have no need to publicly brag or boast about their art; it speaks for itself. For one to express or proclaim they believe they are even better than Shakespeare and the Masters of the past is to commit poetic heresy and blasphemy in my eyes. Such behavior is beyond uncouth and unbecoming of any artist. Anyone who actually expresses or believes that they are the "best" at whatever art form, in the world, or at the very least on the internet, has a screw loose somewhere, I think. Narcissistic, delusional people make such erroneous statements, and I can only assume it comes from a place of low self-esteem perhaps, or possibly an inferiority complex. I think Kanye West is a poster-child and paragon of a deluded artist who thinks he is much greater than the sum of his parts. We do have a Kanye or two running amok here, sadly. I deplore and despise pretentiousness; it's a sin. It is repulsive and repugnant. Humility and modesty are virtues to which all artists should subscribe. I don't need to be told I am good at what I do nor do I have the compulsion to be a haughty public braggart. I should pity their erroneous proclamation, but instead it makes me angry. But I will let this ire subside for I will not allow unworthy people to rent space in my head. So, what am I getting at, you might be asking? Well, I'll be blunt: I am weary of the delusions of grandeur, and the false sense of entitlement. Some people need a big ol' slice of humble pie, myself included at times. This may be considered "venting", but I ask you: is it venting when I am pointing out that humility is a virtue to strive for and pretentiousness is not? Is that "venting" or am I simply making a "philosophical" conclusion? This is where the water truly gets murky. This is a belief, and is sharing one's beliefs so wrong? Am I to be silenced just because I voice my beliefs? Am I incorrect to express my laments regarding bloated egos, and hopes for a greater understanding of what ideals for which an artist should strive? Am I being "inflammatory", or am I just being honest? Is one's honesty and perception of truth the same as "venting"? Depends greatly on your point of view, I suppose. I am talking to no one in particular, of course. It's just my fervent hope that people take a step back and re-evaluate their stance and perspectives; it would do us all a world of good. It's a New Year and never too late to change gears. I've learned a lot about myself in the past month or so. It may be time for more introspection and self-reflection. Dig deep; is that what you really believe? Let's all take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves: how are we behaving; is my ego in check; do I really need to brag and boast; is humility worth striving for; do I conduct myself as a "know it all"; do I really need to make sexist, self-aggrandizing remarks; am I promoting peace and harmony or am I adding fuel to the fire? Naturally, I am well aware that this could be misconstrued as being "negative", but I am really speaking of my hope for change; for peace, balance, humility and modesty- publicly, of course. Tell your friends (as I will tell mine, also) in private of how great you and I are. Public virtue; private vice; that's the way of things... END. I don' believe anything I voiced should have been deleted. I'm curious about what the rest of you think :)