We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
( }% Z( j) q1 Z' c  oWe wear the mask that grins and lies,
& d1 ]; ]7 z$ u2 wIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
: o: c  P- g9 I+ E: S0 t0 oThis debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
) }( E6 L" B1 l, H% k0 Z( t" |4 H7 X6 f
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
: [1 u" y, t3 l; {; \Nay, let them only see us, while
0 V8 ^3 E4 G) D) D& A       We wear the mask.
0 `" \+ ]9 M9 b
% |  w+ R3 I4 e; h& o. I7 KWe smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
* |9 m8 e! G$ BTo thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
. o! @$ a0 a1 Q- S+ i0 JBut let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!