Justin Parker RIP 1976–2025


Ah, Justin
when I heard the news
I was so sad
but
alas
not so surprised

­– anyone who hung out with you
for any time
knew in their heart and bones
how much unbearable pain
you were harbouring
inside

Despite numerous parties and festies (and ciggies) together
I can only remember one coherent conversation
­­– about late 70s / early 80s skateboarding wheels
and the origin of the ollie

but I never knew quite how good a skateboarder you really were
until you’d gone
and I watched the videos
of your low-gravity-man-boy-body and board
free-wheeling and leaping and grinding as one
– you remind me of the deaf kid who mesmerised me
at the Malibu Dogbowl in Nottingham
when I was twelve

Just one of your many skills and talents, huh?

But what I remember most about you, Justin
were your hugs

I’ve never known such hugs

­– it was as if you were sharing deep love
and offering deep thanks
and displaying deep trust
and communicating deep pain
and expressing deep need
and clinging on for dear life
all at the same time

which
it now seems
you were

I suspect your hugs touched many a heart

Peace to you
and to all who loved
and still love you
my friend

free-styling, free-wheeling
peace