Did I ever tell you about Ben,
tall guy I once knew
a good friend
someone I’ve never really talked to,
like you,
a wonderful guy
of the sorts that fall from the sky,
he played the violin
those days he needn’t take an aspirin,
for he was hot,
he was hot…

did I ever tell you about Ben
or the song I wrote for you,
in my desert
it was a jewel
in a world that is cruel
the notes got stuck,
so perfect
could make The Giants bow,
he never did hear
the ear it was deaf
to the words that he lacked…

I remember Ben
for the stars he could not see
the rhythms not understood,
he played the violin
I was drawn to The Sea
a wave of you
over a wave of me,
coffee in a cup for tea…
one time only I’ve asked
if beyond the stars
he taught there was life,
but he never looked back
stayed in bed
white lilies under his head
and walked away forever…

so did I ever tell you
Ben came from above,
a night in the Castle Park
looking for a purple star
he made his way through,
to you…
the very last touch
a rosebud for a birthday,
left me a journal
in a language amiss,
not in the sentence
but the way I should have kissed…

but Ben was wrong –