The Story Behind the Poem: “About My Big Brother Ben” by Michael Smith

By: Mark Hertzberger

Stratford-based poet Michael Smith lives with his cerebral palsy in a remarkably accepting and optimistic way, expressing gratitude for all those who love and care for him. These include many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, including his aunt Sue Mavity and friend Lesley Walker-Fitzpatrick. His poetry reflects that optimism.

Smith cites his friendship with the late poet and children’s author John C. Walker, who also lived with cerebral palsy and was quadriplegic and mute, as his first time being inspired by poetry. Described as “an inspiring man of rare courage and determination,” it is easy to see the influence Walker had on Smith’s outlook from an early age.

It was through Walker that Smith met Walker-Fitzpatrick, Walker’s sister, who now transcribes Smith’s poetry and encourages him to write. It wasn’t until March of 2025, though, that Smith decided he was ready to write seriously. He surprised his family with a chapbook of his poems and this year has added the feather of “Judges Choice Award” to his bard’s cap.

“About My Great Brother Ben” was inspired by Smith’s immense grief over the untimely passing of Ben in 2023. Smith describes Ben as a gentle, caring man with a mischievous sense of humour – “He was gorgeous in every way.” On what would have been Ben’s thirty-ninth birthday, Michael realized he had a poem that needed to be written: “On this day my great angel, Ben, would have sung….in my life, his record plays on and on…”

But Smith doesn’t indulge in self-pity or pessimism. His full schedule doesn’t allow him time for it. In addition to his Tuesday poetry writing session with Walker-Fitzpatrick, he is a volunteer with Friends of the Festival, attends the Community Outreach group at Avondale United Church (where he met fellow poet and award winner, Aleah Graff), and attends Bethel Pentecostal Church on Sundays. He is a Warriors fan and in hockey season attends games with good friends Nate West and Luke Cowell. In winter you can also find him volunteering at one of the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle locations.

This summer, Smith and his cousin April were instrumental in advocating for much needed sidewalks around his residence to increase accessibility. The sidewalks were installed this summer and came complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Martin Ritsma.

Smith hopes that readers of his poetry will be inspired by his passion to live, his courage and his piety: “I thought it was the right time to get my thoughts out there in case there is a time I can’t.”

"The Story Behind the Poem" is an ongoing series featuring poets recognized in this year's Every Voice community poetry contest and published in the Roots Through Stone anthology. Both are joint projects of Stratford’s Poet Laureate, the Stratford Public Library and Destination Stratford. Copies of the anthology are available at Fanfare Books in Stratford.