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...SONNET: INSCRIPTION FOR A PORTRAIT OF DANTE by GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO VISIONS: 4. A ROSE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) SONNET TO MRS. REYNOLD'S CAT by JOHN KEATS THE HIGHWAYMAN by ALFRED NOYES EPITAPHIUM CITHARISTRIAE by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR HELTER SKELTER; OR, THE HUE AND CRY AFTER THE ATTORNEYS by JONATHAN SWIFT |