Listen.

Michelangelo, Ignudo, 1509

NATURAL MUSIC

The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little rivers,

(Winter has given them gold for silver

To stain their water and bladed green for brown to line their banks)

From different throats intone one language.

So I believe if we were strong enough to listen without

Divisions of desire and terror

To the storm of the sick nations, the rage of the hunger smitten cities,

Those voices also would be found

Clean as a child's; or like some girl's breathing who dances alone

By the ocean-shore, dreaming of lovers.

Robinson Jeffers