MYSELF

By Edgar Guest

 

I have to live with myself and so,

I want to be fit for myself to know,

 

I want to be able as days go by,

Always to look myself straight in the eye.

 

I don’t want to stand with the setting sun,

And hate myself for the things I’ve done.

 

I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf,

A lot of secrets about myself,

 

And fool myself as I come and go,

Into thinking that nobody else will know,

 

The kind of a gal or man I really am;

I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.

 

I want to go with my head erect,

I want to earn all men’s respect:

 

But here in the struggle for fame and self;

I want to be able to like myself.

 

I don’t want to look at myself and know,

That I’m bluster and bluff and empty show.

 

I can never hide myself from me:

I see what others may never see;

 

I know what others may never know,

I never can fool myself, and so,

 

Whatever happens I want to be,

Self respecting and conscience free!