I will not doubt that Whitman is an excellent poet, I did like Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking (though I didn't understand why he sent the birds north in the springtime) but I hate Song of Myself. I know it was said by the critics 150 years ago, but I'll say it again; he's too egocentric. I hate the way he presumes to know how I feel. Which I admit is an ingeneous attribute for a poet, but I don't appreciate the way he pulls it off. I can hardly wait untill my instructor moves into the Dickinson poetry. :x