For Adam

A poem about losing a son

         

                   For Adam

         When youth precedes the eyes of age
         and plays an unaccustomed role,
         then love and grief take center stage
         to mourn the loss that makes us whole.

         The pain of Mother’s anguished tears,
         and Dad’s unbearable regret,
         his brother now knows mortal fear,
         such wounds may tempt us to forget.

         Endure, enfold, embrace the pain;
         the loss intensifies the love.
         And joyful memories remain,
         until we’re joined with God above.

         For it’s only in the passing
         that the living know the seasons.
         And in life that’s everlasting
         that we come to know the reasons.


                   Terrence G. Fisher 1996



Author's Note ▶︎

Adam was the son of an acquaintance from Church. Adam disappeared on a cold, damp night when he lost control of his car and plunged into a deep ravine. He was badly injured in the crash and by the time searchers found the wreckage, it was too late.

I think my reaction to Adam's death was so strong because I knew that it could easily have been my son instead. What do we make of a random tragedy that spares us but falls on someone nearby? I wrote a poem and shared it with Adam's family.