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Poems (Jordan)/Why?

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4640287Poems — Why?Rebecca Queen Jordan
WHY?
Why do we hold our best word back,And voice the commonplace?Why do our deeds the beauty lackOf the fair motive's face?
We judge by surface acts of men,Nor explanation ask;Oh, why so judge of others, whenOur own lives wear a mask?
Why do our lips refuse to speak,When overflows the soul;Is it because they are too weakWhen Feeling has control?
Why do our hearts so dumbly acheBeneath a smiling face;Why goes life boldly to the stakeWith never slackened pace?
Why do our falling tears reflect,None of the heart-blood's hue;Why are the rocks where hopes are wreckedHidden from surface view?
I know not why,—but this I know,Through earth with visor down,Humanity will ever goUnknowing and unknown!