Title: Adam Poems For the Living
Author: Keith Aaron Munroe
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781669805397
Pages: 110
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Rae Capri

Read Book Review

Have you ever experienced the loss of a loved one, an impact on your life too great you struggled to carry on with life? No one is ever fully prepared for the inevitable that awaits us all at some point in our life. Things can occur suddenly, with an immediate change of priorities. Those left behind are stunned and have to figure out how to live knowing someone will no longer be there with them. Every thought, a fond memory, or even the mention of their name draws you back to a reality you try to set to the back of your mind.

In Adam Poems for the Living, author Keith Aaron Munroe captivates his readers immediately from the first line, pulling you back to a memory you once tried to suppress. It’s as if you are reading a book of journal entries about a person’s feelings, what they’re witnessing, and how they’re trying to cope. The weight of loss includes the individuals

that were left behind. Going through the emotions where no two days are the same – all because anything can trigger a memory. The closure not received because some have decided to cut their lives shorter than expected causes ripples in the minds and hearts of loved ones left behind. It feels like the ultimate form of robbery with no ability to re- acquire your things as they are forever lost. The grief that many people are experiencing after losing someone to suicide is a weight that remains on their hearts, due to not having any ability to get their questions answered. It can be a painful day to day while living in the quietest nightmare full of darkness. A constant creeping of thoughts as your mind attempts to break everything that happened from the previous days leading up to their devastation.

The author constantly brings up a person named Adam, describing this individual in their complexity. At first glance, you would assume he was talking about Adam, of the Garden of Eden, the first man God ever created. Depending on the reader’s interpretation, Adam could be a representation of various individuals for different people. In either example, the purpose is to learn about coping with knowing someone dear to you is no longer going to be with you. The toughest part is coming to terms with your loss, so you hang on longer, all the while, it’s hurting you. Memories are things that will always be there because it is something that many people cherish while keeping very close to their hearts. To reminiscence about all the good things shared, their smile, their touch, their thoughts, is comforting when facing the realities of them no longer being here. It should get better with time, meaning it won’t hurt as much as it did when the loss was fresh, but many will still find themselves having a grieving moment from time to time.

One thing that stands out the most in this book is to grasp an understanding of developing a fellowship amongst those who are suffering. For people to gather under trying times and sad circumstances, it brings healing to all. The support of each other is what adds towards building a peaceful environment in knowing that all will be ok and everyone left will go on living life, while keeping their loved ones in their hearts. It isn’t stated that it would be easy and the amount of time will vary from person to person, but eventually there will come a time where they’ll laugh and smile more than shed tears. Human beings are all connected in some way and by embracing each other during the sadness can turn into something more comforting than trying to conquer grief alone. It does get better, and those you loved and lost will always be part of you, which many should always try to remember.

My experience while reading this book has brought a level of peace and clarity as to why things aren’t always as they seem when it comes to losing a loved one. I’ve experienced a lot of losses and it still boggles my mind as to why this part of life turns out to be the most challenging to understand. Yes, everyone would inevitably have to go through it when it comes their time, but no one is ever prepared for it to happen to a loved one. A sense of warmth was felt from the author’s words, bringing comfort and understanding that they too, know what one must be feeling during that time. I thank the author, who took his time in addressing what everyone goes through. In using a kind and gentle approach, many people are going through the fragilities of overwhelming grief. I highly recommend this book to others going through a loss of a loved one for some encouraging words to help them get through their hurdles.