"Song of Myself"

I agree with all of Leslie's assertions regarding "Song of Myself" and the Whitman picture, but I'd like to elaborate.

Regarding the picture, Whitman appears to be very relaxed- his hands are in his pockets and his hat is tilted to the side. His attire and posture suggest confidence without arrogance. Confidence is certainly vital to the poem "Song of Myself," as Whitman states that if he was to "worship one thing more than another it shall be the spread of my own body, or any part of it." This statement does not seem to reflect arrogance, but his belief that all humans and all things are not only equal, but they are connected. If all things are connected, then why worship God or nature or other humans, why not worship that which you have the most control over- yourself?

Whitman also seems to be donning "every man" attire in this photo, which to me just ties in with the idea of universal connectedness. 

He has a very direct, personal, inviting gaze towards the audience, which I believe ties in with the following portion of the poem:

"I tramp a perpetual journey, (come listen all!) 
My signs are a rain-proof coat, good shoes, and a staff cut from the 
woods, 
No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair, 
I have no chair, no church, no philosophy, 
I lead no man to a dinner-table, library, exchange, 
But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll, 
My left hand hooking you round the waist, 
My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public 
road.

Not I, not any one else can travel that road for you, 
You must travel it for yourself."

It is as if he is offering his assistance in self-discovery, but in the least dogmatic, preachy or condescending way possible. He wishes to serve as a guide.

Finally, I thought this line was very interesting, and loosely represents the idea that meaning exists because of language:

"A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands; 
How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more 
than he."