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Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Not So, the Gifted Few

Not So, the Gifted Few - Gregory Richard Barden's Blog

About Gregory Richard Barden
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Welcome to my page!

I am a man of many interests - TOO many, I think, lol - and because of that I never gave writing the attention I should have when I was young. I started writing poetry in December of 2016, and joined Poetry Soup at the same time. I am currently working on an R&B/Soul album for a major label, so, as has usually been the case, poetry does not get the time I'd like to give it, (though I plan to change that in the future, and write a book-or-two, a sci-fi novel and an autobiography) ...

I like to incorporate classic styles and phrasing into a modern frame when I write poetry, and try to cover a wide range of genres, but I enjoy the darkly sensual the most, despite its limited audience. I hope you'll give my rather unusual style a chance, read a piece-or-two, and leave a comment, if you'd be so kind. I also hope you'll visit my music web site as well, (at the following address under my moniker "Bahku") - mostly (very) old recordings there, but also a snippet of the first single coming, and more new stuff soon!

www.bahku.com

Thanks for stopping by my page - blessings!

Not So, the Gifted Few

Blog Posted:4/7/2018 2:20:00 AM

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"Oh, you're SO talented - so gifted!"

Do you ever hear that phrase or something similar? How do you answer? I always try to say, "Thank you - so are YOU!", and pray it leads to the following discussion. I think we "artistic" types sometimes feel ourselves of rarefied air, and while we writers DO have a talent with words, that just makes us poets, and not an elite class. Yes, poetry is a rare talent, (one I'll never perfect), but talent is not rare ...

EVERYone is gifted - EVERYone has talent and exceptional abilities, but everyone is DIFFERENT, and sometimes those talents and abilities are not as readily visible, or even as tangible, as they are for others. YOU are talented and gifted, (perhaps in ways you've yet to discern), whether you realize it or not, and if you don't, it's still waiting for you to discover it ...

Or maybe you have multiple gifts but haven't found one that inspires you. Just because that gift may not be considered "artistic" or "creative", doesn't mean it's any less noteworthy or important, any less substantive or integral, or any less of a gift, especially when it comes to the contributions you can make to humanity, or the blessing you can be to others by way of your talents ...

FINDING those gifts is not always an easy task, as there are many things that we pursue simply because we love them, (things that we may not have an inclination toward or talent for), and many things we may have a talent for that are simply not a part of our lives, or are not placed in our paths, due to circumstances or timing. Einstein said this, quite correctly:

"Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

FIND your gift and develop it, whatEVER it may be, and never think that it's not as wonderful or important as anyone else's, simply because you can't frame it and hang it on the wall, or put a cover on it for publishing, or perform it on stage, or win the Nobel Peace Prize with it. Enjoy it and share it with the world, be proud of it and find joy within it, (and always stay humble). Maybe you're a fish, and trees are just not your thing ...

So ... SWIM!!



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Richards Avatar
Carrie
Richards
Date: 4/12/2018 10:29:00 AM
Your last couple of sentences are so important.....yes we are all different, and each person may have a talent that contributes something wonderful to humanity (we hope)..., but staying humble is often the key to standing out above the crowd . I love this blog :) !! Wise words !
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/14/2018 11:06:00 PM
Thank you SO much, Carrie, and you are so correct ... arrogance is a major turn off, and good work will always speak for itself. Blessings and thank you for the comment, my friend! :-) <3
Marcum Wong Avatar
Connie
Marcum Wong
Date: 4/11/2018 6:48:00 PM
Finding out the gifts you have to offer humanity takes some a lifetime and I agree with all you have said Greg. Wonderful advice!
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Marcum Wong Avatar
Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 4/11/2018 11:20:00 PM
For sure Greg. Look at Grandma Moses who began painting at age 78. : )
Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 10:53:00 PM
Indeed it does, Connie - I didn't start with poetry until about two years ago, and even that wasn't "seriously" ... it's never too late, my friend, for new discoveries as well! :-) <3
Turner Avatar
Daniel
Turner
Date: 4/10/2018 12:27:00 AM
Talent doesn't always mean success. Everyone has talent but not everyone has the perseverance to succeed.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:37:00 AM
Andrea - I am quite sure some of those people have not discovered their true gifts yet, sadly ... some people WANT to be great singers, and just don't have the correct gift. Ouch! :-) <3
Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:35:00 AM
Absolutely - well-said, and I completely agree, my good friend!
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/10/2018 5:40:00 PM
and not all those with perseverance succeed, especially on American Idol!
Thomas Avatar
Fj
Thomas
Date: 4/7/2018 2:40:00 PM
:) ....a very true and introspective perspective Greg. Enjoyed this greatly.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:33:00 AM
Thank you so much, FJ, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, my friend! Blessings! :-)
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea
Dietrich
Date: 4/7/2018 10:39:00 AM
An inspiring blog, Greg!! Many here with MANY gifts!!
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:32:00 AM
You are so right, Andrea ... indeed! <3
Parker Avatar
Frederic
Parker
Date: 4/7/2018 9:44:00 AM
sometimes learning is the ability to allow yourself to fail with everyone watching
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:32:00 AM
Absolutely, my friend, and very well-stated ... nothing good comes without sacrifice, and that sacrifice can be painful. Blessings, Frederic!
Thomas Avatar
Fj Thomas
Date: 4/7/2018 2:38:00 PM
Wisdom in a kind man's words :)
Lawless Avatar
John
Lawless
Date: 4/7/2018 9:12:00 AM
...said the momma fishy, swim if you can and they swam, swam, swam, right over the dam.....
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:31:00 AM
You must be of similar era, John - that was popular in scout trips back in the day. Blessings, my friend! :-)
Teagan Avatar
Becca
Teagan
Date: 4/7/2018 7:58:00 AM
I don't think it could have been said any better than this. Very encouraging blog, Greg.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:29:00 AM
Thank you so much, Becca - blessings, Friend! :-) <3
Mcgreavy Avatar
Maureen
Mcgreavy
Date: 4/7/2018 7:41:00 AM
Wonderful blog Greg! I'm finding myself right now in middle age discovering I have such a gift (not writing), your words a timely gift. I love the quote. My toe is in the water, getting ready to dive in... <3
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:29:00 AM
Yes - dive deep, my friend ... and swim with joyous abandon! :-) <3
Strand Avatar
Brian
Strand
Date: 4/7/2018 4:31:00 AM
As Ephesians 2:10 has it Greg,'we are His 'workmanship' (poiema ((work of art))....Education ..is or better yet..should be how we discover our god-given giftings in all manner of areas of life.I am thankful I found mine,even if a little late in my life.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:28:00 AM
Well-said, my friend ... well-said, indeed!

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* MERRY CHRISTMAS *
Date Posted: 12/25/2019 2:42:00 AM
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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Love of Nature Coupletnature,
The World Around Us Rhymeearth,environment,war,
Zest May Our Love Say Dizaindesire,devotion,love,roma
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A Prince For Roseanne Rhymefantasy,
Surely, I Shall Prosebirth,death,
The Ride Iambic Pentameterimagination,memory,sad,
Picture Perfect Rhymeamerica,corruption,deep,p
Violin Free verselonely,muse,romance,roman
It Don'T Really Matter Rhymefun,humor,love,
Cry For Wind Quatrainanalogy,animal,beautiful,
Behind Closed Doors - Emotive Write Rhymeabuse,bullying,house,lone
Broken Soldiers Rhymeage,humanity,soldier,
A Candid Rainscape Free verseflower,imagery,nature,rai
As I Journey East Free versebeauty,journey,
When Her Roses Bloom Romanticismlost love,rose,
White Rainbows Imagismcolor,garden,imagery,
Time Lost In the Current Verseemotions,fear,ocean,
Amethyst Fate Ottava rimaflower,imagery,metaphor,
Gutter Pavement Runway Flight Free verseaddiction,appreciation,da
Love Lies Bleeding Rispettoflower,metaphor,
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As the Year Matures Monorhymejune,
Yet Not Broken By the Blues Free verseanti bullying,holocaust,m
The Potter and the Clay Narrativechange,character,conflict
Autumn Royal Rhyme Royalautumn,sad,
Skipping a Stone Quatorzainimagery,nature,
Freedom Is Written In Stars and Moon Free verseabuse,change,dark,freedom
Pondering Castle Ruins At Dusk Free versebeauty,betrayal,
Nestled Under Your Wings Free verseimagery,inspirational,upl
Lake's Music Free versepeace,river,song,
Corridors of Uncertainty Chokaintrospection,
Diamonds From the Sky Blank versebeautiful,beauty,desire,e
Hoping That It Might Be You Lyricfriendship love,hope,long
Still I Run Villanelleautumn,death,truth,
Snow Birds Softly Sing Versebeautiful,bird,dance,dece
When I No Longer Love You Romanticismlove,romance,
Late Summer Nights Dream At the Cat In the Hat Coupletimagination,nonsense,
In Silence Personificationautumn,death,
Touch -Sharon's Acrostic Contest Acrosticspiritual,
Worlds of Ice Free versedream,love,memory,sleep,w
Starshine and Silhouettes Rhymebeauty,dance,desire,image
Realization Sonnetlife,
From Sunset To Sunrise Rhymelove,
Dance of the Firebird Free versebeautiful,dance,sensual,
Under the Stars Romanticismautumn,love,poetry,romanc
I Dance Prose Poetryabuse,dance,music,pain,
Hollow Man Rhymehappiness,introspection,i
When the Sun Drowns In the Sea Rhymelost love,
Midnight Romance Sonnetdesire,dream,imagery,long
In Hindsight Rhymeage,love,
His Evening's Mystery Lyriclove,mystery,
Miss Allegheny Mountain Monorhymeimagery,mountains,nature,
Despicable Free verseabuse,evil,girl,
May Showers Contest Haikunature,rain,
Shadow Free verselost love,
Love Will Come To You Lyricintrospection,longing,lov
My Solitary Wandering Free versememory,solitude,
The Dark Side of Canada Free versehow i feel,
You Foolishly Once Thought You Had It Bad: a Collaboration Rhymedream,fear,
Poetry Rhymeart,meaningful,poetry,poe
From Glory To Dust-2 Acrosticangst,confusion,corruptio
Mawu Amongst Stars Sonnetbeauty,magic,memory,
As Cold Sudden Rain Haikulove,nature,
I Am Every Woman Biobeauty,deep,emotions,enco
You Echo, Silent Still Free verselost love,
A Lullaby Rhymeloneliness,lost love,natu
Valentine's Day Proposal Rhymemarriage,proposal,romance
Penny Hearts Rhymefirst love,valentines day
Rainless Clouds Pantoumblue,sad,
A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter Free versei love you,i miss you,mot
Groundhog Day Sonnetnature,winter,
Floccinaucinihilipilification and Very Little Bread Rhymeappreciation,art,characte
Summer Love Sonnet Sonnetappreciation,nature,summe
There'Ll Be No Rain Sonnetchristmas,weather,winter,
Nothing Lasts Forever Rhymefire,home,
Saturated In Solitude Rhymesolitude,
Real Men Wear Pink Rhymecharacter,funny,humor,per
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A Peaceful I Love You Iambic Pentameterbeauty,i love you,nature,
O, the Murmuring Waves Versespiritual,
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A World of Boundless Black Sonnetemotions,
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Falling From the Heights Sonnetdeath,
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things