We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
5 A, E5 r9 E% G- g& v5 {2 WThis debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
! W# z% @' A5 x) t0 m+ E: j* F: {And mouth with myriad subtleties.

# B/ P8 f( z0 I$ qWhy should the world be over-wise,
" B) Q& x. M( ^5 DIn counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.

4 `& ]) X1 v1 n: B8 Y( A3 aWe smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
0 W' b. N: M% |7 DTo thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
4 u5 p; J# J7 Q% W$ ]$ i1 WBeneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
5 }5 s& P5 v2 E7 j. V       We wear the mask!