We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
: a+ P) S( ]0 u# GIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
% H( E5 k2 p8 W% WThis debt we pay to human guile;
6 U: e7 [  p2 s' U  a) pWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
9 U# G7 Z& M- J) ^; XAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
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Why should the world be over-wise,
1 h1 d( W' n: B* {3 k# ~  RIn counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.
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We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
  l! u3 a( J9 a& R9 I4 v! nTo thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!