A Tardy Requiem

This post is a bit late in coming; nonetheless, here it is. I had written something earlier and saved it as a draft, but after re-reading it I decided it was too wordy for what I was trying to say.

Adam, I miss you. I never understood your strength until it was gone. I hope you're at peace with the pain you wrestled with. Rest well, my friend.


















Though Adam was a friend of mine, I did not know him well
He was alone into his distance, he was deep into his well
I could guess what he was laughing at but I couldn’t really tell
Now the story’s told that Adam jumped
But I’ve been thinking that he fell

Together we went traveling as we received the call
His destination India, and I had none at all
Well, I still remember laughing with our backs against the wall
So free of fear, we never thought that one of us might fall

I sit before my only candle
But it’s so little light to find my way
Now this story unfolds before my candle
Which is shorter every hour as it reaches for the day
But I feel just like a candle in the way
I guess I’ll get there but I wouldn’t say for sure

When we parted we were laughing still, as our goodbyes were said
And I never heard from him again as each our lives we led
Except for once in someone else’s letter that I read
Until I heard the sudden word that a friend of mine was dead

I sit before my only candle like a pilgrim sits beside the way
Now this journey appears before my candle
As a song that’s growing fainter the harder that I play
But I fear before I end I’ll fade away
But I guess I’ll get there though I wouldn’t say for sure

Though Adam was a friend of mine, I did not know him long
And when I stood myself beside him I never thought I was as strong
Still, it seems he stopped his singing in the middle of his song
Well, I’m not the one to say I know, but I’m hoping he was wrong

I’m holding out my only candle
Though it’s so little light to find my way
Now this story’s been laid beneath my candle
And it’s shorter every hour as it reaches for the day
Yes, I feel just like a candle in the way
I hope I’ll get there...but I never pray

(Jackson Browne, "Song For Adam)