(This poem stems from a thought I always had. People are born with talents, but not everyone gets to either discover them or use them to their fullest. Society simply isn’t designed to let the majority reach their full potential. Always makes me wonder how many amazing people have been lost to history because they weren’t allowed to do anything other than survive from day to day.)
We are born
With a fiery ambition
The great desire
To leave our mark
And be remembered
Strongest in our youth
Think hard
Bend back the years
Did you build
Before you walked
We are born creators
Thirsty to build
Through imagination
And curiosity
Crushed as we move on
You are special
You are an individual
You are unique
We say these to children
But never go beyond
Taught the universal
No special treatment
Only facts
That ‘everyone’ should know
But few ever use
A handful survive
With ambition intact
Most fall
From mortal gods
To withered drones
What would our world become
If everyone was nurtured
To follow
Their instinct
And mark humanity
Some may say anarchy
But is it possible
That the curer of cancer
Or the greatest artist of our time
Is rotting
In a cubicle
Legends of Windemere 
This is so true, and so sad. Powerful poem.
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Thanks.
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Very sad and as Annabelle said, powerful. So let’s nurture children!
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I wish nurturing children into individuals was a priority.
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The poem especially the last line really hit me. It reminds me of when I gave up a lot of creative pursuits or when I was shamed out of doing so when I never saw anyone get that treatment. It can be hard to find people encouraging you.
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I think a lot of people have been forced to give up creative endeavors. Many see them as pointless since they don’t make money quickly.
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It’s a sad truth. There’s only a small handful of people who can actually get rich let alone make enough to get by on their creative works alone. I remember a time over 10 years ago when some YouTubers were complaining about adblocker because they couldn’t get YT revenue and I just shook my head because I was working two jobs at the time.
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Unfortunately, most paths to wealth or even financial stability get blocked by some of those who use it. Seems human nature to prevent others from reaching the same level of success.
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That is certainly the ridiculous reality of the world. It’s like so many dreams are stymied by design.
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I’m sorry that happened, though I can relate.
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Thank you. It’s frustrating because I love doing creative things, but I know I wouldn’t be able to make a living on that alone.
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A profound poem, Charles. You are so right about society not being good at allowing folks to reach their potential.
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Thanks. If only society took a turn towards individualism.
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Not sure humans are built for that.
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Too greedy a species. Wouldn’t work under this system.
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I agree.
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I’m no poet, but I get this one. Feels like the story of my life.
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Same here.
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I love this one, Charles.
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Thanks.
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Hear, hear!
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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