We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
# k0 o/ ~9 B* b2 _1 N0 q  l0 l, v6 @We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
0 v# f) i  Q1 s5 n' T* hThis debt we pay to human guile;
4 E( x1 n7 b3 N. gWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
. X# k6 F( j7 b: h% o. nAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
! j+ ?1 F. V& s
! R% [" t* X/ ~) w  OWhy should the world be over-wise,
% q" J/ m' a8 I4 g8 H$ YIn counting all our tears and sighs?
6 F4 C" g! V1 h/ C( I2 xNay, let them only see us, while
' @# u4 m& ]( Q" R, n/ G( [       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
; [! u% V8 P% ?! E  G$ g! EWe sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!