Curious strangers
I sometimes wonder if they really knew,
I guess I will just never know.
Some people would come with some kind-hearted questions,
My answers were sort of a show.
I’d say I was
eighteen and I was out here,
Because I’d been kicked out
and alone,
And sometimes I’d still wonder if they’d really thought,
I’d ran off from care
or from home.
It’s not often like
this but once in a while,
You’ll find curious
people out there.
Who wanted to know why I lived on the streets,
It’s a good thing to
know that they care.
Where are you parents? And your other family?
Every time those folk would ask.
But in fear of being caught or grassed up to the law,
I could not give them the true facts.
“What’s it like to sleep here? And how can you feel safe?
And at the night time here don’t you get cold?
At the side of the road, out here on your own,
You don’t even look very
old”.
Some would be sober and some would be merry,
But most of them just wanted to hear,
What it was like sleeping rough in West end,
And was I on the crack or the gear.
I’d tell them
half-truths but we’d still somehow
connect,
I’m just trying my
best here to survive.
They’d ask why I couldn’t go back home to live,
But to stay undetected I lied.
I told them the truths when they asked of the dangers,
Like the drunk folk that will try to start fights.
But after a while you get a thick skin,
And you just have to stand up for your rights.
I tried to avoid having to lie too much,
And I just tried to simply be.
The last thing I wanted was to tug on their sorrows,
So I’d say I was happy
and free.
Funny I guess my life in West end,
And some of the people I’d meet.
There was once a woman who’d come every few days,
And play scrabble with me on the street.
I’d met Uri Geller,
he seemed a nice fella,
Although I’d not told him that
I’d ran away.
He said he’d charged up a card
with his positive vibes,
Which would help bring some luck to my day.
The boxer Chris Eubank would come whizzing past me,
On a small silver scooter so fast.
And so many faces that I’d seen on the telly,
Would once in a while walk past.
I’ll take each day
just how it comes,
But it wasn’t all lonely and
dark.
I’d always still
loved to play with a football,
And across the road was Green Park.
Big groups of lads would kick a ball,
All nations would come together.
And I’d always find
myself something to do,
No matter what sort of weather.
Some folk would take me out for dinner,
I’d sleep on someone’s office floor.
Some would simply drop me breakfast,
And the next day bring me some more.
Always this life had brought me some bright sparks,
And only now can I think this way.
If it wasn’t for those that
had poked in their nose,
I wouldn’t be who I am
today.
And if I hadn’t broken some
boundaries myself,
Then things could have seemed so much worse.
You’re not on your own
when good people connect,
Like a gift from this great universe.
Poetry written by Ben Westwood, Musician and poet. UK
Copyright Ben Westwood.
To view all fourteen current poems from this project click here.
Follow the true story of a young teenager
running away from home and the state, in a premature search for independence. In
poetry.
Making choices that often only a young mind would make, Ben tells his story and memories of being in the social services system from eleven years old, as well as 1990’s London street life, as a missing runaway sleeping rough.
From angels, predators, shocking times to heart-warming moments, Musician and now debut author Ben Westwood gives an insight into the mind of a rebellious-spirited youngster trying to find his own way in the world.
To order a signed colour copy you can order via paypal below.
The price is £18.99 including postage and packaging
Making choices that often only a young mind would make, Ben tells his story and memories of being in the social services system from eleven years old, as well as 1990’s London street life, as a missing runaway sleeping rough.
From angels, predators, shocking times to heart-warming moments, Musician and now debut author Ben Westwood gives an insight into the mind of a rebellious-spirited youngster trying to find his own way in the world.
To order a signed colour copy you can order via paypal below.
The price is £18.99 including postage and packaging
