I used to idolize the gods

Exalted the words of men

Cherished the ratings of earthlings

Drank from the Psalter

of their praise

And shrank at  the altar

of censorial remarks

Melted  at  the shrine

of stark appraisals

I used to worship

the goddess of opinions

But she has drained me

of every honor left

Shredded every fiber

of residual esteem

And sapped all  treasures

Of accrued values

She speaks and goes to sleep

I hear and know no peace

So I emerged with emptiness

Like a famished lioness

Resolved to find my worth

In quietness and confidence

Listening only to one voice

Hearing only an intuition

Cheering on  only one king

The one that reigns

Within my heart.