Dear Abi

Ready (ready)
Yep
Action!

Dear Abi, let me start by saying how proud I am that you're an artist
It's in the blood running through both our veins
Keep having ideas, never stop throwing paint
On canvas with conviction
A lie told right can be more beautiful than the truth at times
Dear Abi, never stop having ideas

When I was seven years old my aunty dug her nails in my arm
As she leant in and whispered, "Do you miss your real dad?"
Only looking back do I understand how sadistic that was

My real dad was the man who raised me
Second person to hold me as a baby
DNA doesn't dictate parenting ability
He was far from perfect, but brilliant to me

Abi, you look like me
And I've never said that to any other person
This brings with it questions of identity
And answers I've honestly been running from

I'm terrified that you know the guy who's half of why I'm alive
Compartmentalised in my mind my whole life
On canvas with conviction
A lie told right can be more beautiful than the truth at times

You sketch in your notepad, as I sing to voice notes
In both of our work we deal in the dramatic
I write in my bedroom as you paint in yours
Life is too messy for a tidy narrative

Abi, you have taught me to make things beautiful
Just 'cause it feels good
I love how you can embrace the mundane in bright technicolour
This feeling is strength
We're brother and sister raised by different father's
Similar compositions by different artists
On canvas with conviction
A lie told right can be more beautiful than the truth at times

You sketch in your notepad as I sing to voice notes
In both of our work we deal in the dramatic
I write in my bedroom as you paint in yours
Life is too messy for a tidy narrative

I wanna get to know you, come to an exhibition
You should come to a show soon, next time we're in London
On canvas with conviction, the truth told right
Can be more beautiful than a lie

Dear Abi, let me start by saying how proud I am that you're an artist
It's in the blood running through both our veins
Keep having ideas, never stop throwing paint