Myself by Edgar Guest

by Paula

I came upon your site and thought of a poem you might like to include. It is called "Myself" by Edgar A. Guest.

Our maternal grandparents lived in another state and we only saw them twice a year. We would always have a poem memorized or a song to sing on the first evening of every visit. I recited this poem in 6th grade (1971) for English class - and apparently Grandpa really liked it - I was asked to recite it at his funeral in 1986. It definitely described him. I thought it would be a
nice addition for your list. Thank you.

Comment
What a touching story. Here's the poem;


Myself
by Edgar Guest

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 sham.
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 for 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.