The Man in the Glass
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 man has to say.
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For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
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He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
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You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
– Dale Wimbrow (1934)