We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
; f) }, t' R, hIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
) W8 Q9 A2 Y$ X' L) `This debt we pay to human guile;
# I% V+ r/ a- dWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
. i7 b$ O; ^( J1 r7 G( jAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.

: m! G$ f5 x& ?- KWhy should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
5 I: r& `2 t# r0 W4 V: eNay, let them only see us, while
+ d3 l/ F" o( O. n6 m3 f5 Q4 d       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
9 E+ S1 I- O9 p: GBeneath our feet, and long the mile;
, g- p/ |5 Q( i. b& |6 p' h" O; MBut let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!