Begging at the feet of greatness

Not keen on "the very heart" and "the very thing", plus I do agree with Stephan about the question mark though I'm not sure where to stick it -- it may just be one of those cases where punctuation isn't necessary.  You might try "left with only glib cliche" instead of the way you've got it.  Also, you might like to consider

Left with fingernails broken

Lips chapped

or something, to shake up the rhythm a little there and give it a more desperate edge. 

But... all the little picks aside, I like this a hell of a lot.  It could potentially be one of your best, which is not to say all the rest isn't great

Now, how about you put it into Sapphic verse?  (you may kill me now)