The Guy in the Mirror
Have you cheated the guy in the glass
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 judgement 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.
Dale Wimbrow 1895-1954.
Remember this was written in an era of culturally dominant masculinity. It applies equally to men and women.
The word ‘self’ in the first line in the original poem was ‘pelf’ which is an old word meaning ‘money’. While self is particularly applicable to alcoholism / addiction, the word money is also apt. See; The Guy in the Glass 1934.
- See also;
- 12 Spiritual Questions
- 5 Finger Prayer
- HBO Award Winning Addiction DVD
- Types of Dysfunctional Families
- The Habit of Procrastination
Thank you Dennis,
Most enlightening.
I particularly like the original word ‘pelf’ which is/was an informal word for ‘money’.
Consider the “Official Guy in the Glass Web Page” as offered by Mr Dale Wimbrow’s children. I just happened upon it after having heard it at a funeral mass this past week. Double-check the precise wording.
http://www.theguyintheglass.com/