Voltair Might Say Beware Poem by Jim Yerman

Voltaire lived in the early 1700's…he was born in Paris, France….
His words still have meaning today…if we'd give them half a chance.

If we had the opportunity…to talk to the famous Voltaire
I imagine the first word out of his mouth…would be a word of warning…
Beware

Beware of your world leaders he might say…
they are not all compassionate and wise…
‘If you want to know who controls you…
look to those you're not allowed to criticize'.

Beware of those who say how wise they are…
for there is usually insecurity behind it…
‘Cherish those who seek the truth, ' he'd say,
‘but beware of those who find it.'

Beware of all the nonsense being spoken…
all the madness being tweeted.
‘Stupidity can appear as wisdom, ' he'd warn,
‘the more often it's repeated'.

He might say beware of those who are filled with arrogance
with self-worship and pomposity
For ‘Those who can make you believe absurdities
can make you commit atrocities'.

If he saw how easy it is for us to kill each other's spouses,
their daughters and their sons…
‘Beware of fools with power, ' he'd instruct,
‘beware of fools with guns'.

If he looked at the way we treat those in need, he'd say
Beware! We need to change our point of view…
‘For everyone is guilty
of all the good they do not do.'

Yes, I wonder if Voltaire was still here…
if he was around today
would we conveniently dismiss his words…
or listen to what he had to say?