2 wonderful poems by Dale Wimbrow

[elanor_x]

At high school during one lesson my English teacher handed out the poem "The Man in the Glass" by anonymous. I liked it so much that put it in my notebook, where I collect my favorite poems and song lyrics. Surfing Internet today I found not only the right text & the author of this poem, but also his another excellent work.  

 

The Guy in the Glass

by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,

And the world makes you King for a day,

Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that guy has to say.

 

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,

Who judgement upon you must pass.

The feller whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the guy staring back from the glass.

 

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,

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

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the guy 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 can 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 guy in the glass.

 

My Religion

MY CHURCH, AND MY CREED

by Dale Wimbrow [1895-1954]
 

You ask me "what is my religion"?

Now what if I say I have None?

You'll be wrongly impressed,

And unduly distressed

So wait - I have only begun.

 

My creed in the sense that you mean it,

Has no single symbol, or sign.

Big, impressive, or small,

There is good in them all,

So perhaps Your religion is mine.

 

My doctrine is any that stands for

The honor and virtue of men.

For whatever we preach,

We're all striving to reach

A mutual goal in the end.

 

My church is the one that is nearest

Wherever I happen to be.

The place where men go

Their devotion to show,

Is good - and sufficient for me.

 

What matters the Name on the mileposts

That stand by the path you have trod?

If the pathway leads UP

Then at last you shall sup

With the infinite army of God.

 

Note: both poems were taken from the official site here, where you can also learn more about the writer.