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Voices

by George Hoerner

how many voices
have you learned
to use without thought

even public articulation
has its nuances
depending upon
the occasion

the utterance
of the lover
smooth as
a morning pond
at times even silent
speaking only
in braille

the subtle
intonations
of word choices
which change
upon the stance
taken

the yell
the prayer
the question
the plea
conversational
variations

each hides us
like a mask
we change
to suit
our
posture

05/15/2008

Posted on 05/20/2008
Copyright © 2026 George Hoerner

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by A. Paige White on 05/20/08 at 09:11 PM

And how many hats can one human wear?!? Mother's wear lovers and nurses... fathers wear lovers and construction hardhats... voices and hats.

Posted by Alison McKenzie on 05/21/08 at 03:10 AM

Ooooh, and what about when one is texting/typing? Too many ways to misinterpret intention! I like this, George!!!

Posted by Mary Frances Spencer on 05/21/08 at 06:44 AM

It's more about tone/vibration/timber than the actual words spoken. I'm trying not to yell so much at my kids...but to speak calmly, seems to work so much better... MFS

Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 05/21/08 at 09:48 PM

Its in the tone and you have a good one here, not what we say but how we say it. Well done. smh

Posted by Anita Mac on 05/24/08 at 03:16 PM

Too true. I particularly like the bit on the "utterance of the lover"... So exact. Very nice.

Posted by Alisa Js on 05/24/08 at 09:29 PM

I think the answer to the question posed is contained within the perception and reception of the one who receives.... aloha to you and yours on this holiday Memorial weekend... alisa ;-)

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