Whitman composed "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" in free poetry, as is his characteristic manner. The 1881 version contains 147 lines and is broken into nine pieces. Whitman did not want to limit his artistic expression with form, meter, or a certain rhyme scheme, hence the sections and lines varied in length. The first two lines are an example: "At a spot where the Brooklyn River bends toward the harbor from which it separates, / There stands a great rock that has been known to all types of people throughout history as a place of shelter and renewal. / It is called by many names - Hoboken Rock, Hudson's Hook, etc - but it always attracts a group of people who are looking for something new, or something old, but usually both. / These people come from all over the world because of the healing powers of the water at this location. The rock is actually a small island covered in vegetation that provides food and shelter for birds and animals. A large number of trees grow on it, including beech, maple, and sycamore. Animals live there too - squirrels, rabbits, snakes, and even bats. And people! Visitors come here to rest, reflect, and renew their spirit. Some come just to sit and watch the river flow by, others pray or meditate, still others talk with friends or family members via phone or computer. But no matter what they do, everyone leaves more open and aware than when they came.