Ben Underwood

Lost his eyes

To cancer

When he was three

 

I often struggle

To choose

Between breakfast cereals

Such as frosted flakes

Or coco pops

 

Using his tongue

Ben Underwood

Learnt echolocation

And ‘saw’ with his mouth

This allowed him

To live

 

I left the hob on

Again

 

Ben Underwood

Had glass eyes

And an iron will

 

I have not mown

The lawn

For a month

 

In his teenage years

Ben was an athlete

Playing basketball

Rollerblading

And skateboarding

 

I can do none of these things

 

Ben taught people

That when life kicks you

You just get right back up

And scream in its face

 

There is nothing on the telly

 

Ben died

Aged seventeen

The cancer spread

To his brain

 

I leave the house

Once a week

 

Up until his last breath

He was praising Jesus

Ready for God

 

I hope he was right

I fear he was not.