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Part of the cluster LEAVES OF GRASS.

Voices.

1NOW I make a leaf of Voices—for I have found nothing  
 mightier than they are,
And I have found that no word spoken, but is beautiful,  
 in its place.
2O what is it in me that makes me tremble so at voices? Surely, whoever speaks to me in the right voice, him or  
 her I shall follow,
As the water follows the moon, silently, with fluid steps,  
 anywhere around the globe.
3All waits for the right voices; Where is the practis'd and perfect organ? Where is  
 the develop'd Soul?
For I see every word utter'd thence, has deeper, sweeter,  
 new sounds, impossible on less terms.
4I see brains and lips closed—tympans and temples  
 unstruck,
Until that comes which has the quality to strike and to  
 unclose,
Until that comes which has the quality to bring forth  
 what lies slumbering, forever ready, in all words.

Part of the cluster LEAVES OF GRASS.

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