Sammy

by Benne van der Velde / May 3rd, 2026

I had a brother
whom I love

the youngest one
and oh so strong

no other bully
did me wrong

like this one
beloved brother

I had a brother
whom I love

the loudest one
and oh so much

more than my false
double Dutch

love this one
like any other

I had a brother
whom I love

the richest one
and oh so right

more than any
other might

like this one
beloved brother

I had a brother
whom I love

the latest one
to break my heart

not by lying
from the start

but simple lack
of further bother

Benne van der Velde (1974) is a bad playwright, former rapper, average singer and established Dutch poet. Re-writing his work in English somehow feels like the next logical step in his career, a way to open up to the world at large. Which is both exhilarating and terrifying. So far these re-writes have been published in Double Dutch magazine (duh), Bebarbar, Hare’s paw,  Festivalforpoetry, Punt Volat, The Dewdrop, The Dillydoun Review and Months to Years a/o. He founded Double Dutch magazine to give himself way too much to do but is loving every second of it! Read other articles by Benne, or visit Benne's website.

This article was posted on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at 8:00am and is filed under Poetry.