The title and first two lines belong to Whitman. Does the rest of the poem follow the thoughts? Thanks Dennis
To You
STRANGER! if you, passing, meet me, and desire to speak to me, why should you
not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you?
The gesture human, passion between kindred spirits.
A flame ignites where universe meets universe
each heart singing when meeting another, assuming
what the other thinks and observes as commonalities.
And each breathe the same air, intoxicated
by the sky, and inspired with the beating hearts
within kindred breasts and smell the green leaves,
the rich dirt, and know they are part of it. Speak.
And a stranger no longer.