Dear Adam,

Hearing the horrifying news

It was impossible to contain my tears.

Why would someone like you choose

Such a permanent end to temporary fears?

But we know what made up your mind

The heroine did the thinking for you.

There’s a burden to being left behind

And a stinging pain like that of a tattoo.

Now all I have are the pictures, your grave

And the tree that you used to end your life.

It’s so terribly hard to go on being brave

When your memory pierces my heart like a knife.

Maybe someday I will understand

Why you chose to leave us here.

And maybe someday I’ll get to see you

To tell you there’s nothing to fear.

I love you, cousin.