Remembering Benjamin...

Many things happened in my life this week but the news that lies heaviest is the death of Benjamin Zephaniah. When it came though, the first thoughts and feelings that washed over me (besides the initial disbelief) was how sudden, shocking and sad this was.

I didn’t know much about him or his work until the last decade when our lives seemed to cross multiple times in a number of ways, culminating in us meeting and having a brief conversation a few years ago when we were both guests at a seminar, taking the stage separately about similar matters. I found him an open, gentle and generous man.

I worked in a school many years ago and one of my colleagues supporting the workshops we were putting on at the time was a big fan of his and would be talking about him quite a lot. A teacher friend of mine would also be sharing how his poems were always coming into play with the students they supported who, as part of the school curriculum would be reading some of his work.

As a tribute, here’s something that springs to mind in honour of his spirit:

Ben…so ZEN and yet Rastafarian

Hailed from Birmingham.

He had much to say

In his unique way

At times Inspoken, at times Outspoken,

He certainly left his token

Which we can hold afar or near

Remote or dear

To those who adore

Please pass it on,

To those yet to listen

Switch it on…

Benjamin Zephaniah RIP