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?
The juxtaposition of the  “bleeding heart”  and  “smile”  presents the juggle between the  external  and  internal  and poses many questions. Why is the heart bleeding? Is it wounded? Why is the smile not bleeding like the heart when both the external and internal have been slashed? How are these wounds mended? Are these wounds necessary for us to realize the mask? 
 “We smile”, may also let us believe that even through the pain and suffering, fake smile is worn to let your abuser know that they haven’t yet broken you. That as long as you smile, they can’t touch you.
We Wear the Mask