We Wear the Mask (Poem)

SeanJohn

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
3 L' M9 x& Q4 u( G# F% cIt hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
# b, x* Q# {& @; [5 mThis debt we pay to human guile;
7 q- R/ ^* |7 F: uWith torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

( D/ C7 H/ R1 }2 m$ C( d7 u# f0 zWhy should the world be over-wise,
# p' s+ Y5 H1 W/ n5 }  E( oIn counting all our tears and sighs?
, ^7 V/ a0 x1 G( o; r: mNay, let them only see us, while
/ d' j' l+ w* }6 o       We wear the mask.
$ o( t) ]& E/ f
) a  \/ O, i- p0 v4 m/ z& pWe smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
8 ^+ |% |8 R- f$ T8 J+ u7 S3 J: zBeneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!