I grip the metal tighter,
Raising the gold in the air.
The people go on talking
Why do they not stare?

Applause echoes in my mind.
Moments ago I was fame.
I could smell the love of humans.
I could feel them cheer my name.

“Glory, glory!”
It spread over me
As water over a babe.
I did not see
The drowning pride
My own lips called the lie.

I stared in wonder
at what I held high.
Blood, red blood–
my innocence defied.

Like a plague I dropped it,
lay it at His feet.
And no longer stealing glory,
I bowed in glad defeat.

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