sly joins his readers and all past and future ferry passengers. Finally, in 1881, Whitman arranged his poems to his satisfaction, but he continued to add new poems to the various editions of Leaves of Grass until the final version was produced in 1892. Today, Whitman's poetry has been translated into every major language. It is widely recognized as having a formative influence on the work of such American writers as Hart Crane, William Carlos Williams, and Wallace Stevens (Academy of American Poets). This influence on the future is the result of Whitman's attempt to universalize his poetry. By shedding the shackles of structure and seeking to find intimacy with the physical world, Whitman has broken down the boundaries of culture and time. His vision of humanity, one that embraces the person and the natural world, still inspires the stirring of an alienated individual. Whitman's gift to the world is his poetry, and in essence, Whitman himself. His poetry is the epitome of the American dream; free, wild and personal. His poem, "Song of Myself," is a bridge, spanning the divides of time, to bring us in touch with our own intimate humanity....
