We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
; z5 r4 k3 O, Z8 }We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
  N# ^7 h" Y  b% Q1 MThis debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

* t5 I. F+ }5 ^9 D& [6 Z6 CWhy should the world be over-wise,
6 D  |1 N6 X: e. r7 BIn counting all our tears and sighs?
' {/ a+ o2 c  J- N5 S4 C, S3 `Nay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.
, R% j8 X4 g: ?6 z
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
! I" [* c3 i& ^+ E  uTo thee from tortured souls arise.
: X1 [0 r% J+ h9 w7 cWe sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
# V; y. E2 I* p; |But let the world dream otherwise,
) X+ ]8 ]5 A) i4 d4 g# \5 _9 V       We wear the mask!