Issue 5, April 2008

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 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 want to go out with my head erect;
I want to deserve all men’s respect.
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf,
I want to be able to like myself.

I don’t want to look at myself and know
that I’m bluster and bluff and empty show.
I can never hide myself from me
I’ll see what others may never see;

I’ll know what others may never know;
I can never fool myself and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
self-respecting and conscience free.