MYSELF

 

by Edgar A, Guest

 

I have to be myself, and so,

I want to be fit for myself to know:

I want to be able to say 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 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 person 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 in the struggle of 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 buff and an empty show.

 

I can never hide myself from me,

I see what others may never see,

I know what others may never know,

I never fool myself – and so,

Whatever happens, I want to be

Self-respecting and free.