Myself

I have to live with myself and so I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as 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 have 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 no one else will ever know
The kind of person I really am, I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect I want to deserve all men's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that I am 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.
~Edgar Albert Guest (1920)