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,—
. |, l/ ?1 Z& }$ G3 ]4 x( VThis debt we pay to human guile;
' |! B: B  K  e1 C1 s) |6 ]With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
2 g, k' v- c3 J1 |4 E7 oAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.

1 x6 d6 X2 m5 h9 `' l6 V5 \! AWhy should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
8 B' y  c  M' \% pNay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
; V2 M2 q$ N# Y* c3 j1 ^But let the world dream otherwise,
  R9 L5 s& G5 ^$ e4 F5 L1 K' p$ M1 c+ D: b       We wear the mask!