Ben

Too much to think that you had changed
same old Ben after all
Fifteen years back you played it out
told us then what you were all about
Too much to think that you would’ve learned
same old Ben after all
On stage a poor man a world that owes you
For what hard-times you have suffered through
Always old and wise you were the youngest among us
same old same old after all
A fox a rabbit a weasle a hassle
a little shit with a chip and a temper
Ben, you’ve worn out your welcome

Your wit as sharp as hunger
as caustic as spittle or rain
You amazed us with tricks
like beating a dead dog
or a horse
or a joke into the ground

Too much to think that you had changed
same old Ben after all
But speed was your virtue where visibility was not
and you bound off into the aether again
There are some that miss you masochists all
blurred by disease perhaps
Stay lost this time Benjamin and live in fading thoughts
same old same old after all

Feb 2000 © Jonathan Russell