Geneva is located between France and Switzerland, built on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is an old city that has become an important metropolis, hosting international organizations like the United Nations and being a center of finance. The city is surrounded by safety and has an invisible government. Geneva attracts diplomats, guest workers, bankers, and refugees seeking exile or self-exile, including historical figures like Lord Byron, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and the Shelley family. The author recounts living in Geneva as a Mormon missionary near Voltaire's estate and being shown Julius Caesar's Spring by local friends.

1. GENÈVE
for the Pilets
Look up, it's France. Around, it's Switzerland.
Geneva, ville ancienne, built on a bench
by Lac Leman—metropolis of bland
importance (the UN, finance). Language: French.
Surrounded, safe. Invisible government.
Diplomat, guest-worker, banker, refugee—
the self-exiled, and exiles by accident—
sheiks, the Shelleys, Byron, Dostoyevsky.
We were Mormon missionaries, half-aware
of Calvin and Rousseau. We lived in Ferney,
two bow-shots from the chateau of Voltaire.
Adam Smith, Gibbon, Boswell made our journey.
One day Pierre and Marcelle took Carol and me
to Julius Caesar's Spring—58 B.C.
R. A. Christmas