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.