When answering this question it can be useful, on a surface level of analysis, to compile the diction statistics of Whitman's poem. In so doing, specifically by using the option in TokenX, a student could create a word cloud that can stand
alone as a transformation of Whitman's work. Try reading the word cloud to the left. I imagine Whitman would have reveled in this type of technological wordplay with his work, bringing a whole other type of "re-writing" of his poem into possibility. By removing Whitman as the author and allowing the student (or arguably the computer - but that option will remain for another type of "big question") to rewrite the poem, not only does this type of transformation of Whitman's writing change the idea of the "I" who is writing and narrating the poem, but this particular rewriting let's us see how the words Whitman used give us insight into how the poem innately focuses on individuality. This is measured by noting the most used words in the top 100 words used in the piece. 4 out of 5 of the top five most often used words are versions of the self as individual and the remaining word in the 5 references the other as individual. By rearranging the words as shown below, ordering them
from most to least used, again, we not only rewrite the poem (try reading this version of the poem and see what comes up - there are some interesting connections), but we also generate more focus on the groupings of the word usage. Here we create a more visual connection between the types of words used, how often they're used, and a more organized experience for the reader. Whitman would have been excited to see how easily a computer could 
do some of the work he tried to do on his own, while rearranging, rewriting, transforming and recreating his work over his lifetime. Pairing the word cloud with a published excerpt from a Whitman poem edited by Whitman himself, we can perhaps see the connection between the changing individual and the changing expression of that individual. The poem has had its life put at stake, "to be lost at any moment." As Whitman changes, the poem changes, and, finally, with Whitman having passed on, the poem is allowed to be expressed in whatever way the new individual, the new poet of the poem, finds necessary. This history of the poem in itself is an expression of the individual and the individual's greater connection to community. i you me he - all his. you get me?
from most to least used, again, we not only rewrite the poem (try reading this version of the poem and see what comes up - there are some interesting connections), but we also generate more focus on the groupings of the word usage. Here we create a more visual connection between the types of words used, how often they're used, and a more organized experience for the reader. Whitman would have been excited to see how easily a computer could do some of the work he tried to do on his own, while rearranging, rewriting, transforming and recreating his work over his lifetime. Pairing the word cloud with a published excerpt from a Whitman poem edited by Whitman himself, we can perhaps see the connection between the changing individual and the changing expression of that individual. The poem has had its life put at stake, "to be lost at any moment." As Whitman changes, the poem changes, and, finally, with Whitman having passed on, the poem is allowed to be expressed in whatever way the new individual, the new poet of the poem, finds necessary. This history of the poem in itself is an expression of the individual and the individual's greater connection to community. i you me he - all his. you get me?
fantastic! . . this is more than an x-ray of the poem, more like an MRI of the poem . .and this opens up so many great questions worth pursuing . . about revision, about poetry as craft and labor, and about Song of Myself as a dynamic artifact . .not just a "classic" text frozen forever in Helvetica type and clean margins . . .
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