The Mask

Last Friday one of my former colleagues in the art department in the school where I used to teach had a pottery exhibit.  He had a very eclectic collection of art pieces, many of which I will show you in the coming days.  There were so many that I loved so I'm going to have to go back to the gallery to decide which piece I need for my casa.


APRIL POETRY MONTH POEM #7

WE WEAR THE MASK
by: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

E 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!