This paper will attempt to describe his life and poetry in a way that does justice to the path he chose. ... As biographers have found, it is difficult to write the life of Whitman without writing instead the life and times of his book. ... His preface even called for a new "Kosmic" poetry. ... It is not enough to say only that Whitman was new and bold in his poetry. ... Growing up without privilege did not dull his ability to decorate the written word from his varied experiences, and he forever strove to uncover the elusive meanings that he felt his readers deserved to know. ...

• Word Count: 1688
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School