Myself

I have to live with myself, and so,

I want to be fit for myself to know,

I want to be able as the 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 man I really am,

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

I want to go out with my head erect,

I want to deserve all men’s respect.

But here in this struggle for fame and pelf,

I want to be able to like myself.

I don’t want to think as I come and go

That I’m bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can 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.