The guy in the glass (that's you)

The guy in the glass

by Peter Dale Wimbrow (c) 1934

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
and the world makes you king for a day,
then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
and see what that guy 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 guy staring back from the glass.

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 dangerous, difficult test
if the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
and think you're 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.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
and get pats on the back as you pass
but your final reward will be heartaches and tears
if you've cheated the guy in the glass.