Wednesday, June 6, 2012

That music always round me Walt Whitman, from Leaves of Grass That music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning - yet long untaught I did not hear; But now the chorus I hear, and am elated; A tenor, strong, ascending, with power and health, with glad notes of day-break I hear, A soprano, at intervals, sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense waves, A transparent bass, shuddering lusciously under and through the universe, The triumphant tutti - the funeral wailings, with sweet flutes and violins - all these I fill myself with; I hear not the volumes of sound merely - I am moved by the exquisite meanings, I listen to the different voices winding in and out, striving, contending with fiery vehemence to excel each other in emotion; I do not think the performers know themselves - but now I think I begin to know them.