We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
. P) k$ r6 R# ^2 oIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
1 a$ a/ y4 v5 b4 `4 U5 ~( |) SWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
2 w/ d8 b2 p# C, tAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
& f7 F8 T2 Q0 W$ M7 y. m# d
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
8 q1 A0 f* u/ a" l, tNay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.
. J) E% L( m1 a7 C1 P  ]& D  w
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
$ U/ J& \' k% U' RWe sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!