Many years ago I was fortunate enough to be shown this poem by and elderly public speaker I met. I can’t remember his name as it was nearly thirty years ago, but I never forgot about this poem by Dale Wimbrow, written circa 1934, called The Guy In The Glass. I hope you enjoy it.
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf (money),
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.
In grateful memory of the author, Dale Wimbrow 1895-1954
Feel free to share this beautiful poem
Thoughts Have Power.
All rights reserved. © 2025 Tony Jarrah
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