Firelight Palaver

A young man, cold and worn from travel
Takes respite in a forest clearing
He builds a fire and settles in
A place of peace for a night’s rest

From the shadows, an old man appears
They begin to talk, amid the glow and crackle
The old man asks what troubles the young man’s mind
Here tonight, palaver by firelight

In the march of time, I am limping and falling behind
My largest possession is a dearth of purpose

I only wish to be cradled
In the cold of the dirt
Free from the horror of Samsara
Here tonight, palaver by firelight

I have travelled far and wide across this world and others
I won’t soothsay or give you hope, for none exists
But I can tell you that all you’ll ever want or be
You already have and are

The old man’s form and visage flickers, fades in the dark
Who is this that abides before me?

Are you god?
Are you my father?
Are you my future self?

I am all these and none
Though little difference it makes
The oneness of all things
Crushes the ego, and destroys the delusion of time