We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
, U$ C) d( X$ i, Q' R3 PWe wear the mask that grins and lies,
# A1 V' L% T6 F) G( ?It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
* }2 t) C- O3 Z+ d; BWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
) p7 h  D4 R' m2 |% [/ [/ RAnd mouth with myriad subtleties.
( D" f) \1 `! e2 T( O; z5 \+ h, `
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.

8 \: f& m4 J% q$ e0 u: JWe smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
0 N- Y7 J1 n, R2 u" `8 n+ \To thee from tortured souls arise.
) d+ M6 P3 O: T7 s  l; r% F) S% I" ~We sing, but oh the clay is vile
6 V, n8 N2 J+ G4 N+ Y- kBeneath our feet, and long the mile;
$ U4 @+ K8 l3 }But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!