Father, I need to ask your help,

There are questions to which I have no answers,

I have scanned the tintereweb without success,

I have prayed to God without success, will you help?

Of course, my son, ask away,

I have seen, and heard, much,

I shall be happy to share the wisdom

Of my many years, ask away.

Father, what is the nature of suffering?

Father, why does God not answer my prayers?

Father, why is there so much hate in this world?

Father, can love ever overcome hate?

Son, these are difficult questions you ask;

I shall try to use the wisdom of my years

To provide you with answers

That will light your path ahead.

Son, mankind suffers from his own foolishness,

If we love without trust, we shall suffer,

If we treat possessions As our God

We shall suffer.

If we expect some quiet words with God

To bring us our desires, we shall suffer.

If we hope that others will guide us

Then we shall suffer.

Son, know this; if we do not suffer,

How can we recognise happiness? 

If we do not understand darkness,

How can we benefit from the light?

Son, your pleas to God

Cannot provide you with the answers you seek.

For mankind does not understand the language of God,

No more than he can comprehend the universe.

Son, the hatred that permeates this world

Is predicated by the will of man.

Greed, intolerance, a lack of compassion,

The need for power, fuels the fire of hate.

Son, love is the primary cause of suffering, and hate.

We often come to hate those we have loved,

Love has the capacity to cause greater suffering than hate,

So love wisely, but expect pain and suffering in return.

Father, your words are vague and hold little value to me,

You seem to view the world through your eyes,

While I need answers to my view of the world.

You are old, with outdated views.

Son, I understand you completely,

I am but an old fool,

So maybe while you're here, you can answer a question for me,

How do I turn on this stupid computer??

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Owain Glyn