We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile
And mouth with myriad subtleties,
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.
We smile, but oh great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile,
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
-Paul Laurance Dunbar
This poem will always hold a special place in my heart. I first read it when I was 8 sitting in the local bus station waiting for my mom to finish "talking" to a guy she knew. I found this book of poetry sitting on the bench and this was the first poem I turned to. Who knew it would have such an impact.