Adversity’s Surrender: Requiem for a Man  

By Doug Kelley

After the Rain, Calm quickly descends,

The gale of Unrest no longer wins.

 

Out of the Shadows, sweet Truth is discerned,

Lessons ignored become life-lessons learned.

 

The Tempest has indicted; the Man declines defeat:

“Your wrath equals not the renaissance of my peace.”

 

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For you Dad; I will see you on the other side.

Doug Kelley

October 29, 2002

 

Explanation

 

After the Rain, Calm quickly descends,

Dad always spoke of “the rain” (adversity) when trying to encourage others who were going through hard times. He also said “too much sunshine makes a desert;” therefore, we need some “rain” in our lives to refine us. But the “Calm” after the storm has now descended for him.

 

The gale of Unrest no longer wins.

When there is rain, there is usually a storm; it is a period of windy unrest. It seems that Dad’s life was not in want of the “gales of Unrest,” i.e., adversity. But now, that adversity no longer prevails.

 

Out of the Shadows, sweet Truth is discerned,

Dad wrote in his notes, “We ought not live in the shadow of our worst moments.” Whether this is his thought or whether he read it somewhere, it is profound. Most—if not all of us—live in the shadow of our worst moments, and therefore, our self-esteem takes a beating. I perceive that Dad recognized this “sweet Truth” in himself, and—although difficult—he tried to rise above it.

 

Lessons ignored become life-lessons learned.

As with all human beings, Dad learned many lessons—some of them repeatedly. And to be sure, there is no shame in making mistakes as long as one learns from them. For in reality there are no mistakes, just learning opportunities.

 

The Tempest has indicted; the Man declines defeat:

It seems that there is no end to Adversity’s heavy hand in life. Adversity is like a “Tempest,” in essence accusing us of being frail; of being easily blown away. In a very real sense, Adversity “indicts” humanity with ultimate failing. Whether we actually win or face defeat is entirely up to us individually. Even though disease took Dad, he did not give in; his spirit was not broken. Therefore he could say,

 

“Your wrath equals not the renaissance of my peace.”

The “wrath” of the storm is simply no match for the newfound peace that Dad now has, albeit in death. It is a “renaissance,” or a period of rebirth and revitalization for him. Dad had a hope, and regardless of what the future may bring, I trust he will be able to put his lessons and life-experiences to good use on the other side.

 

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This second poem was written after I visited Dad's grave in April, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Divine Tragedy

 

All the hopes, all the dreams;

All the joys, all the adversities;

All the triumphs, all the defeats;

Occupy but one small sliver of ground.

 

I miss you dad.

 Doug Kelley, 4-14-03

 

    

Dad was cremated and his ashes buried in Grove City Cemetery, Blackfoot, Idaho, 

in the same plot as his Father, Mother, and Brother.

 

 

 

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Doug Kelley, PhD, CH, CSL is the founder of the International Church of Metaphysical Humanism and the Institute of Metaphysical Humanistic Science. He focuses on helping others to overcome self-limiting mindsets by way of practical metaphysical life-skills. He can be contacted at admin@icmhchurch.org.

Copyright © 2003 By Doug Kelley. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reprint this article (without pictures) or this poem provided it is done so in its entirety (without pictures) (including this copyright box).