The Man In The Glass

      There was a poem that hung in the entryway of my GrandmotherJane and Grandad's home growing up.  Even as a kid the poem resonated with me, enough that I memorized the words. Over the years the words have faded from my memory, leaving me only with the first few lines.  For some reason the other day I found myself thinking about the poem and where it hung in my Grandparents' house and thought it would be special to frame it in my house just like they did. 

     We moved into a foreclosed home that had been stripped of most anything of value.  This mirror was the only mirror left in the bathrooms.  It was dirty with cracks in the wood and chips in the glass, which is probably why it was left behind.  Steve said it was junk and needed to be trashed; although I agreed the mirror was junk, I couldn't trash it.  There were many days when I looked in this lone mirror and gave myself a personal pep talk about being the person I wanted to be and making this transition the best for my family.  It seemed only fitting that I sand, clean, and stain this mirror and hang it, imperfections and all, next to my family-inspired poem.

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,

Whose judgment upon you must pass;

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one starring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.

For he's with you clear up to the end,

And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test

If the man 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 may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.



    I almost have put the words to memory again.

   I just have to be successful in putting the words into action.