For Ben
Born the year of ’83, a twin to your Becky,
A winter baby with a laugh so loud and cheeky.
We called you Negbutt for the grey clouds you’d see,
Yet your grin was a constant, a gift to me.
And oh you could moan our dear old Gwen,
A washerwoman’s spirit in a modern den.
“Gwenjamin!” we’d cry, with a shake of the head,
At the tales of woe and the things you said.
You were DJ Deckless with tunes so hard,
Spinning fierce trance in any backyard.
A father to Theo, a brother so true,
To Chris, Becky, Danny, and Richard too.
A loving son to our BIG JG,
A root of our wild untamed family tree.
You’d argue with walls and you’d argue with air,
A champion debater when no one was there.
You’d promise to help though you’d never be on time,
A flaw in the rhythm, a slight forgiven chime.
For your heart was pure gold as everyone knows,
A kindness that softened the bluster and shows.
But lately my brother, your soul was in pain,
We fought for you through the sun and the rain.
We offered our hands but your mind was made clear,
You just wanted your Mum, you needed her near.
So we’ll hold you now only in memory and prayer,
Your laughter, your spirit and your wild messy hair.
The silence you left is a piercing deep sound,
But the love that you gave us is solid ground.
Go find your peace with our Mum in the light,
Free from the darkness and free from the fight.
We’ll miss you Negbutt, each day we’re alive,
Our broken, big-hearted Ben, I wish we could just go for a drive.