Myself Poem by LiRa de asis

i have to live 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 person i really am
i don't want to dress myself into a sham.

i want to go out with my head's erect
i want to deserve all people's respect
but here in the struggle for fame of pelf
i want to be able to like myself
i don't want to think as i come and go
that i'm bluster and bluff an 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..