* Walt Whitman: Embraced free verse, characterized by irregular line lengths, unconventional rhyme schemes, and a conversational, almost stream-of-consciousness style. He celebrated the diversity and dynamism of American life, often using long, expansive lines and catalogues to capture the vastness of his subjects.
* Emily Dickinson: Preferred stricter forms, adhering to traditional rhyme schemes and meter, even as she subverted expectations with her unconventional imagery and themes. Her poems are typically short and concise, often using dashes and unconventional capitalization to create a sense of tension and mystery.
While both poets were highly innovative and influential, their choices in form reflect their individual perspectives and approaches to poetry. Whitman embraced the open and expansive, while Dickinson favored the tightly controlled and enigmatic.