March 20, 1997

one said, long ago,

words to the effect

“I do not believe that what you say is true,

but I will defend to my death your right to say it.”

I do not

I am willing to learn

I am willing to change

I am willing to understand

I am even willing to give my life

that others may see my God

and seeing Him, believe

I am not willing to give my life

that those who deny my God

may go on doing so

At least, I would like to think that I am willing.

The poem is based on a corruption of Voltaire:

“I detest what you write, but I would give my life

to make it possible for you to continue to write.”