Dedicated to BEN

I’m 10 years old tomorrow

It will be Christmas soon

I think of all the Christmas things

While looking at the moon

Parents rushing round the shops

For those last minute things

Anticipation for that day

To see what Santa brings

Trees and lights and cards abound

Presents everywhere

Food piled high at every meal

With relatives around

My thoughts they soon turn into dreams

And Christmas is real cool

And then, I wake up with a start

I’m lying in a pool

I try to lie there very still

As I think I know the cause

Some drunk is taken short

And urinates at will

I know that if I move or shout

The drunk will get abusive

He’ll kick me, or very least

I’ll end up with a clout

When he’s gone I wipe my face

And shake my cardboard floor

I re-arrange my papers

In my home (my shop door)

Yes, I’m nothing but an urchin

My Christmas but a dream

My mother dumped me long ago

She left me by a stream

Oh, people took me in, were kind

I don’t remember much

But then they beat me senseless

And I lost all sense of touch

I wet my bed

“The final straw”

“You’re 6 and should know better”

They kicked me till I couldn’t stand and beat my back red raw

I ran away

Lived on the streets

And to this day

I live for treats

My treats are few and far between

But it’s Christmas time

People are not mean

They fill their dustbins too the brim with goodies just for me

I have turkey, stuffing, mince pies as well

I even have some wine

But if someone comes I run like hell

Cos getting caught’s no fun

I have everything I need

I live like a lord

I might stink a bit

But I have a good feed

Sometimes I dream that I cuddle up to mum

She kisses me on the head

She says, “I love you Ben”

Then when I fall asleep, she carries me to bed

But now I’m big

I’m nearly 10

And those thoughts are for kids

If all else fails, perhaps Santa, will remember this scruffy little “Stig”

The above was inspired by the true story of a small boy known as Ben (no known surname), who was abandoned by his mother soon after birth. He was found in the urinal trough of a gent’s toilet, probably with the idea that the flushing water would drown him. He was taken into care and fostered out, but ran away when he was six after years of brutal abuse. He then spent the rest of his short life as a street urchin, begging and stealing to survive. The Salvation Army found him in a shop doorway on Christmas Eve. He was unconscious, stank of urine and had multiple injuries. He was taken to hospital, put on life support, but never regained consciousness.

Ben was pronounced dead on Christmas Day 2001; the very day he dreamed so much about.

He had been robbed of his childhood and then of his life.

I wonder how many other Ben’s there are out on the streets at Christmas.