The Guy in the Glass

I always loved poetry since my early school days. I had such brilliant English teachers in school and college who could narrate them so well. Honestly, I would have pursued English literature, and maybe even  got a doctorate in it, if not for my dad who insisted that I study mathematics and computers! 

My love for poems has not died down and whenever I come across inspirational poems, I save them for reading again. Here is one of  them which is about honesty and integrity to oneself.

              The Guy in the Glass

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 judgement upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may call you a straight shooting chum
And call you a wonderful guy,
but the man 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 to the end,
And you have passed your most dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may face the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on the back when you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and strife
If you've cheated the man in the glass.

                                              - Dale Wimbrow

Cheers!