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Leaves of Grass (1860)
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21.
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1
NOW I make a leaf of Voices—for I have found noth-
ing mightier than they are, |
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And I have found that no word spoken, but is beau-
tiful, in its place. |
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2
O what is it in me that makes me tremble so at
voices? |
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3
Surely, whoever speaks to me in the right voice, him
or her I shall follow, as the waters follow the moon, silently, with fluid steps, any where around the globe. |
| 4 Now I believe that all waits for the right voices; |
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Where is the practised and perfect organ? Where is
the developed Soul? |
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For I see every word uttered thence has deeper,
sweeter, new sounds, impossible on less terms. |
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5
I see brains and lips closed—I see tympans and tem-
ples unstruck, |
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Until that comes which has the quality to strike and
to unclose, |
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Until that comes which has the quality to bring forth
what lies slumbering, forever ready, in all words. |
View Page 241
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