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 subleties.
Why should the world be overwise,
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!
This poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar is my cheerleader right now...my little inner voice saying, "It doesn't matter if you're falling apart inside, keep your chin up and 'let the world dream otherwise' and you will make it." I feel like I'm under a microscope with everyone in the world looking down on me and examining me from their point of view. Well guess what...My mask is going up. Try and beam that one up, Scotty. I won't give an inch. "I am kayak, hear me ROAR!" (To quote Lorelai Gilmore.)
I'm praying for you Ruth. Thank you for sharing this. :)
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