This episode introduces listeners to Walt Whitman, "America's World Poet." Listen to Whitman's poem, "Beginning My Studies," along with a short description of his life and a discussion of the language he uses.

Beginning my studies, the first step pleas’d me so much,


The mere fact, consciousness — these forms — the power of motion,

The least insect or animal — the senses — eyesight — love;

The first step, I say, aw’d me and pleas’d me so much,

I have hardly gone, and hardly wish'd to go, any farther,

But stop and loiter all the time, to sing it in ecstatic songs.