Myself- by Edgar Gust

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 up in shan.
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect.
But here in this 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!