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Leaves of Grass 3

Part of the cluster LEAVES OF GRASS.

3.

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 beauti- 
 ful, 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,
  [ begin page 24c ]ppp.00473.458.jpg As the water follows the moon, silently, with fluid  
 steps any where 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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