The Man in the Glass Poem By Peter Dale Wimbrow

I recently read this poem and thoroughly enjoyed it. This poem is written by Peter Dale Wimbrow(1895 - 1954), usually known as Dale Wimbrow. Dale Wimbrow was an American composer, writer and is well known for his poems. This poem titled as "The Man in the Glass" is originally titled "The Guy in the Glass'. I am posting the version I read. This poem is about being true to oneself. The words of the poem remind you the one truth - 'You can cheat or lie to the whole world, but you can't cheat or lie to  yourself.'

The Man in the Glass 

                      - By Peter Dale Wimbrow

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts the most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy,

But the guy in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please - never mind all the rest

For he's with you, clear up to the end,

And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears,

If you've cheated the man in the glass.