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'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 in a 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 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE JOYS OF THE ROAD by BLISS CARMAN THE VISION (1) by ROBERT HERRICK THE DEATH OF LYON by HENRY PETERSON HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON by PHILLIS WHEATLEY AN ESSAY TOWARDS A CHARACTER OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY KING JAMES II by PHILIP AYRES |