The Man in the Glass

My pal Tony from the Habitat ReStore is an unusual person.

In general, I like unusual people. They are happy to be who they are, and they let me be who I am.

However, often times another very unusual if not offensive gentleman (in my opinion of course) comes into the ReStore. He gets under my skin a bit. (I am not the most patient person, but I do work on this...continually).

Tony knows that this guy gets under my skin.

Following Tony's unusual personality pattern, he brought me in a few poems... concerning how people are not always as they seem to be, and they are not what they once were, how we all grow old... etc, etc.

Tony tries to make me a better, patient, accepting person.

He expects things out of me.

I like that. I expect things out of me, too.

Here is my favorite line from one of the poems Tony brought in, The Man in the Glass, and it sums up what I try to achieve in my life :

"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 heartaches and tears, 

if you've cheated the man in the glass."

You must face up to your own expectations. Aim High!!!

I am a Putnamaniac who works hard to face the "Man in the Glass"! 

Here is the entire poem if you'd like to view it: 

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,

Who 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.