That Music Always Round Me
Walt Whitman
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 daybreak I
hear,
A soprano at intervals sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense waves,
A transparent base shuddering lusciously under and through the universe,
The triumphant tutti, the funeral wailings with sweet flutes and violins, all of 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.
About this poem
“That Music Always Round Me” was published in the “Whispers of Heavenly Death” section in Walt Whitman’s last edition of “Leaves of Grass” (1891-1892).
About Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819, and is widely considered one of America’s most important poets. He worked as a printer, teacher and journalist in the New York City area. Whitman composed and updated his seminal work, “Leaves of Grass,” throughout his entire adult life. He died on March 26, 1892.
The Academy of American Poets is a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, whose aim is to make poetry available to a wider audience. Email The Academy at poem-a-day@poets.org.
This poem is in the public domain. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
