Here is the question

Poem written by Ellen Steinbaum, used with permission from the author

and the time is getting late–
what is it you want
to believe?
Who do you want to be?
The one who says no?
The one who says
perhaps, the one
who says why not?

Yes, it is a burning word,
a brick someone could use
to build a wall. You must
lift it gently, take it from their hands
as you might take matches
from a child, carefully and
without anger or rushing,
with only tender heed
that they do no damage
with something that can burn.