We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
1 c+ g& X5 t9 e4 Z0 d; V2 `) IIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
$ S2 B* a6 t% gAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
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Why should the world be over-wise,
$ L; B+ s0 c% w: n9 t6 P. ^- ~In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
- F" j8 Q$ A. Q) y: f6 p       We wear the mask.
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! U* f" B; d" @4 ^We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
9 w3 D2 q) r( X) wTo 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,
/ H' n# B0 E- D1 p* s7 l: Q# k       We wear the mask!