This one is here because it reminds a couple of us about a mate of mine from high school, who unfortunately didn’t make it all the way up the road for as long as we were destined. Things got him down, kicked him in the arse a little but he managed to survive all that and in July 2000 he was spirited away from us all through natural causes, but at an unnatural age.

Problem was I didn’t become aware of it until mid 2002, and in many ways I’ve never felt so desolate in hearing the news. We were best mates back then, we chose different roads, we moved through as best life allowed but somehow in the back of my head I always thought it inevitable that I’d bump into him somewhere. The realisation that was not to be the case still leaves me dispirited somewhat. Wrote his mum a letter trying to encapsulate all my feelings, and I’m pretty sure she was glad to have heard from me.

Anyway Sab, this one is for you – it was pointed out to me by a mutual friend, and she thinks its pretty special and when I read it so do I. To you mate, wish I had got to say goodbye….

"A Song for Adam"

-Jackson Browne-

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 travelling, 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 though 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"

Guess I’ll cya somewhere down the road mate, bye.