Here's why:
* Focus on Humanity: Whitman's poetry primarily focused on humanity and the individual, celebrating the diverse experiences and emotions of people from all walks of life. Nature was a backdrop, a source of inspiration and imagery, but not the central theme of his work.
* Transcendentalist Influences: Whitman was influenced by Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emphasized the inherent goodness of humanity and the interconnectedness of all things. While Transcendentalists valued nature, their primary focus was on individual intuition and spiritual experience.
* Celebration of Diversity: Whitman's poetry celebrated the vast diversity of human experience, including the mundane and the extraordinary, the joys and the sorrows, the physical and the spiritual. Nature was a part of this tapestry, but not the sole focus.
However, it's important to note that Whitman's poetry is deeply infused with nature:
* Sensory Details: He employed vivid sensory details to describe nature, creating a strong sense of place and immersion in the natural world.
* Spiritual Connection: Whitman saw nature as a reflection of the divine, a place of spiritual connection and renewal.
* Universalism: Nature was a unifying force in his poetry, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all living things and the cyclical nature of life.
Conclusion:
While not a "naturalist poet" in the same way as, say, Wordsworth or Thoreau, Walt Whitman's poetry was deeply informed and enriched by nature. He saw it as a source of beauty, inspiration, and spiritual connection, and it permeated his work in profound ways.