Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1860)

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23.

THIS moment as I sit alone, yearning and thoughtful,
it seems to me there are other men in other
lands, yearning and thoughtful;

It seems to me I can look over and behold them,
         in Germany, Italy, France, Spain—Or far, far
         away, in China, or in Russia or India—talking
         other dialects;

And it seems to me if I could know those men better,
I should become attached to them, as I do to men
in my own lands,

It seems to me they are as wise, beautiful, benevolent,
as any in my own lands;

O I know we should be brethren and lovers,

I know I should be happy with them.

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