No Patience For Self Doubt 

The first time my inner voice spoke she whispered.

Her voice was soft, kind and convincing.

She said, “Not yet.”

And I listened I blew at that tiny flame inside of me and it went out. 

The second time my inner voice spoke,

she brought with her a friend 

She introduced him as Anxiety.

His voice was stern, domineering, unyielding.

When he spoke, my hands shook

Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead, and my heart pounded violently.

He said, “You will fail.” And I believed him. 

Then, self-doubt held my hand and cooed,”

You’ll fail now, but not next time.” 

I liked her gentler voice.

So I nodded and waited 

Only, next time, she brought a friend, Fear,

Then anotherPerfectionism,

Then another Comparison,

Then another…Until I lost count. 

Now, she doesn’t even speak anymore

I no longer need convincing.

There’s no flame left to snuff out, no sprouting seed to kill.

I’m an accessory in a room,

clapping for those who never had patience for self doubt.