The Guy in the Glass 566.2
Years ago I came across a poem entitled "The Man in the Glass" by Dale Wimbrow. I looked it up on the Internet and discovered a website maintained by his children. It contains the original version written in 1934 and published in The American Magazine as "The Guy in the Glass." Here is that version containing timeless truths about integrity.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn't your Father or Mother or Wife
Who judgment upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.
Judging from the devoted words of his children, Mr. Wimbrow never cheated the guy in his glass.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
I have enjoyed your commentary and have shared it with the women and staff of Casa Teresa Shelter where I worked as a house-mother. I am touched by "The Man in the Glass" poem and recognize the importance of integrity. I would like to share a story on good morals that I wrote called "The Morplus." Please tell me how I can e-mail it to you. I think you will agree it has a great message for all ages.
Posted by: Susan Uriarte | May 15, 2008 8:36 PM
you have misquoted his poem, "...struggle for pelf" is correct. Pelf is an archaic term for money, wealth, etc.
Posted by: anita | May 16, 2008 6:47 AM
There is a song I've heard in Spanish that has a similar theme. One line that has always stayed with me, translated, is:
"You can have a talk with Jesus, your lover, or a friend, but it's the man in the mirror that you live with in the end."
El Hombre en el Espejo
Posted by: Paula | May 16, 2008 8:04 AM
Anita, you are wrong. "Pelf" is the word that the author chose.
Posted by: Matt | May 16, 2008 12:04 PM
The last word in the first line of Wimbrow's poem Is "pelf", not "self". Look up the meaning. Many of us in AA have used the poem as a guide and inspiration for years.
Posted by: Dale H. | May 16, 2008 2:03 PM
I have carried around the "other version" of this poem for years, "The Man in the Mirror."
Thank you for a great website.
Posted by: Mike | May 17, 2008 6:01 AM
Your commentaries are so inspirational. My mom has been listening to your words for years, and I enjoyed listening to the poetic rhythm of your voice on the radio. It wasn't until I got to be aware of the world that I really appreciated your words. I knew though, when I was a little girl, that whatever was being said was big, it was important, and it meant something. Thank you for making me right. Now I know that you have an incredible insight into the human mind. We all have struggles maintaining our morality, but we have lost sight of what is really, truly important. Being a good person is not just about making this world a better place, it's an action that can save you from inner pains. Being a good person is, I think, why God put us here. We do our best to do good, to be honest, and to never lose sight of what's important. That's all He asks for, and that is all we really need to ask of ourselves.
Posted by: Mary | September 4, 2008 5:24 PM