We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
" E) K7 ~  ~2 _6 }( P, fWe wear the mask that grins and lies,
) x* X/ R1 M3 O/ _9 O( ^- eIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
4 Q6 `' [( z2 `9 l+ C$ `0 ]This debt we pay to human guile;
, q" c0 L, T" d8 Z/ dWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
8 w1 I1 l* f0 q% `1 ?% NAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
& h, @2 \4 L4 q. O3 j+ M! B
, }# I+ ]4 ]% t& O4 k  D# u3 I: |' }Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
6 x+ F5 j7 y/ j3 T2 _3 C, \- |Nay, let them only see us, while
/ ?% J" X( ]9 @       We wear the mask.
7 B1 g) F. u5 C% Q" o
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
7 {1 N1 S( y, B% jWe sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
, m+ ?7 N3 g5 x' y# JBut let the world dream otherwise,
# f  N8 F, m9 A$ A! T; c3 Z2 C       We wear the mask!