Collected Poems of John Holmes
Holmes, John A., Jr.
2002
Old Adam in us
Old Adam in us
"Adam's to blame for this," I hear them say. Our grievous ills," they say, "began with him, Adam, our father who was cast away In outer darkness by the seraphim." | |
But I forgive him for that evil hour Of disobedient fear and fatal pride, Old Adam in us is the birthright dower Neither our fathers nor our sons can hide. | |
And I forgive him all his virtues, too. The avenging angel first of all saw clear His courage, when mortality was new. Adam's to thank," we never say or hear. | |
I say, "Praise him. Dislodged, alone, unsure, Adam was man enough, and would endure." | |