The lane

"The boys are back" book launch review by Paul Dunell.

Ben Smith

It’s raw it’s disturbing
it tells a story outside the experience
of many
if any in this room
his face a study of mixed emotions
excited
nervous
hesitant
embarrassed
delighted
as he tells his story
puts it out there
for all to hear
he anticipates its likely impact
but is he right
the words in isolation could possibly be crass
deliberately chosen to shock
they are not
he is sharing his internal monologue
we process according to
our mind set
our social filters
we are responding each in our own way
we are not applauding each poems end
rather the response is during the read
the intake of breath
the deep sigh
the audible sob
as images find their mark
this is my life
the way I have lived it
I have listened with respect
to countless drunks
in countless bars
their story
now so much my story
pubs and drunks and booze
the stuff of my childhood
yes the images are disturbing
they are confronting
they are never crass
gross is for the phonies
honesty bestows acceptance
makes the images accessible
we are laughing
when he is laughing
when he permits humour

You penetrated my urban comfort
I respect you dude