The Man in the Glass
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 the 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 looking back from the glass.
Some people might think
You're a straight shooting chum,
And call you 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.
He's the fellow to please, never mind the rest
Fore he's with you clear to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the Man in the Glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world
Through the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the Man in the Glass!
I found that poem online a long time ago. I don't know who wrote it or where I found it. But I know that it had a profound effect on me. I've had the poem in a frame in my room in front of my desk for probably about four years now, maybe longer. It took a long time for me to get to where I could go to the mirror and find the person I wanted to see looking back at me. Now, more and more, I realize that I might be slipping away from that person in pursuing filmmaking instead of activism. There are so many things that are wrong with this country, from the way the election system works to the disregard of fundamental rights for minorities like women, blacks and gays. With film, I have the chance to get a message out to people, but I want to do more than that. I want to lead the people, not preach to them. I want to fight for them. This election was odd - I supported a person who didn't fully support me. In all fairness, he wasn't my first choice, and I criticized his voting record; those things aside, I voted for him, so in regards to the Yes or No of the matter, he got my support 100%. I feel ... disenfranchised. And I don't like it.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes 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 or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one looking back from the glass.
Some people might think
You're a straight shooting chum,
And call you 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.
He's the fellow to please, never mind the rest
Fore he's with you clear to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the Man in the Glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world
Through the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the Man in the Glass!
I found that poem online a long time ago. I don't know who wrote it or where I found it. But I know that it had a profound effect on me. I've had the poem in a frame in my room in front of my desk for probably about four years now, maybe longer. It took a long time for me to get to where I could go to the mirror and find the person I wanted to see looking back at me. Now, more and more, I realize that I might be slipping away from that person in pursuing filmmaking instead of activism. There are so many things that are wrong with this country, from the way the election system works to the disregard of fundamental rights for minorities like women, blacks and gays. With film, I have the chance to get a message out to people, but I want to do more than that. I want to lead the people, not preach to them. I want to fight for them. This election was odd - I supported a person who didn't fully support me. In all fairness, he wasn't my first choice, and I criticized his voting record; those things aside, I voted for him, so in regards to the Yes or No of the matter, he got my support 100%. I feel ... disenfranchised. And I don't like it.
posted by Dave at 10:11:00 PM
1 Comments:
I remember this poem from your desk. It was nice. ciao -Dan
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