I’m the answer.
Days that now seem far behind me;
Childhood’s safety, love and care,
All of these have brought me, strangely,
Part of this world’s life to share.
Part am I of life around me,
Born was I to mortal span.
Now the thoughts arise within me,
‘Who am I? And what is man?’
Now I’m here, where am I going?
Now I’m here, what can I see?
For my heart cries out for knowledge –
What has been? And what will be?
Study Science for the answers?
Study History as well?
Will my study find the answer?
Seems so far away to tell.
Will I know before much longer?
Will I know before I die
How by chance a vast explosion
Made the planets, formed the sky,
Started life for it to venture
To the intelligence of man;
Started LIFE and set it going
Yet for only ONE SMALL SPAN???
All the things I see around me,
Hills and valleys, flowers and trees,
Flowing rivers, mighty oceans –
Did explosions create these?
Well they must have come through power,
But of accidental source?
Uncontrolled? And yet controlling
All the seasons in their course?
Lusts and passions hurting people,
Spoiling beauty, taking life,
Leaving children without parents,
Leaving husbands, leaving wives –
An explosion put this in us?
Some terrific, primary bang,
Gave me feelings? Gave me conscience?
Made me what I am as man?
No!
Development did this sir
(Someone answers, knowing all)
You developed all these feelings
On your way up Nature’s crawl.
I can tell you where you’ve come from,
We’re from APES sir- do you see?
Oh!
Then tell me where I’m going
For the future’s dark to me.
Can I trust you through the darkness?
Can I trust you in Death’s night?
Have you been there?
Can you tell me
What is on the other side?
NOTHING!
NOTHING???
What an answer!
You expect me to believe
That I vanish into nothing
With the last breath that I breathe?
That my life, my home, my parents,
That my wife and children too
All mean NOTHING! –
Lead to NOTHING!
What’s the point if that is true?
Why should I not know the answer?
Is there someone else nearby?
Is there one who knows the answer
On who’s word I can rely?
Is there someone who will help me
Who will care and understand,
Who knows everything that’s happened
Ever since the world began?
Only one who’s lived forever,
From the start to end of time,
Only one like that can answer
All the questions in my mind.
‘I am ALPHA and OMEGA,
The beginning and the end.
You can trust me for the answer,
You can trust me as a friend
For I understand each person,
Every cry within each heart.
I was there in the beginning
I have been there from the start.
You have listened to man’s answer,
Won’t you listen now to mine?
I’m the Son of God in heaven
And all wisdom, power is mine.
I’m the answer you are seeking
For whatever men may say
You were made by God my Father
And from Him you’ve gone astray.
That is why I came from heaven
Just to tell you of the truth
Men will lead you into error
With their theories without proof
I am pure, I am loving,
Free from sin and undefiled
But I tasted all your problems,
I became a woman’s child.
I have been there, where you are now
And I’ve been through death for you
I’m the answer you are seeking
I alone can take you through.’
Frank Westall 1974-78