That Shadow, My Likeness Comments

Im thinking that when he see a shadow he sees himself or attempting to find himself.

I'm not sure though if he changes himself for his lovers, and that the shadow means the shadow of himself, or if he changes himself for the world and can only be himself, natural like his shadow, around his lovers.

I agree with you cody. I think the poem focuses on himself and who he is. It is like he questions himself constantly when he is around his 'lovers', its like he changes for them ya know?

To me, he's saying how the Shadow is his real self, and that only with his 'lovers' and while singing can he truly be himself. Whitman getting in touch with his inner show girl.