Adelaide and I

Written about my cousin, Scott, who lost his life
in a work accident. He was in his 20s.
***

Again a Hand must beckon one,
Another call be given;
And glows once more with Angel-steps
The path which reaches Heaven.

Our young and gentle Scott, whose smile
Could brighten summer hours,
Amid the frosts of autumn time
Departed with the flowers.

No paling of his cheeks of health
Forewarned us of the day;
No shadow from the Silent Land
Fell round our brother's way.

We miss him in this time of tears
And wish again his light;
A pause beside his image hears
Once more his fond “Goodnight!”

Now falls a shadow on the day,
His smile no longer cheers;
The dimness o'er the stars of night,
Be eyes that look through tears.

The light of his young life went down,
As sinks behind the hill
The beauty of a setting star,
Sudden clear, then still.

So pure and strong, his fair brow seemed
Eternal as the sky;
And like the brook's low song, his voice---
A sound which should not die.

The promptings of the kindest deeds
Were in his very look;
We read his face, as one who reads
A true and honest book;

The sharing of his active life
Was welcome like the dew;
And we who near his goodness passed
Like gentle blossoms grew.

And we---we felt he needed not
This changing of his sphere
To give to Heaven a Shining One,
Who walked a good man here.

And so we see our Father's will;
Our thoughts have reconciled:
That He whose love exceeding ours
Has taken home His child.

Fold him, O Father! In Your arms,
And let him henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our saddened hearts and Thee.

Still let his kind words stand
Between us and all wrong,
Uplifting memory serve to make
Our faith in Goodness strong.

And grant that You who calms our fears
With all your purest powers,
Will welcome Scott to eternal home
From one of love in ours.


© As adapted, revised, and edited from John Greenleaf Whittier's “Gone.”