My Favorite Poem

The Man in the Glass
Author: Unknown

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
and the world thinks you king for a day;
just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
and see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father, your mother, your wife,
whose judgement upon you must pass,
but the fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
is the one staring back in the glass.

You may be lack Jack Horner and chisel a plum,
and think you're a wonderful guy,
but the man in the glass thinks you're only a bum
if you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
for he's with you clear to the end,
and you've passsed your most dangerous, difficult test
if the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
and get pats on the back as you pass,
but the final reward will be heart ache and tears
if you've cheated the man in the glass.