Annie

We stand by the ferry, she made us swear, to lay her down by water, she gathers our fear, dismisses our worried stares, says there must be no tears, thank God we’re merry, and the weather’s fair, instead of trials and ancient levies, more than ever a seer, singing in the yellow air, her sayings begot by jeers, in passing now she’s ready, we all embrace her glare, a gun once fired and deadly, like stolen kids drinking beer, proud at the schooner’s turn, apple cheeks full of cheer, she carries us with her .

Zaidy

What I was feeling then, can it be undone, I won't see you again, when you sent me reeling, dancing forlorn, where else but the freeway, going is a case of when, like a dress that’s torn, you have to count to ten, then sit unfeeling, to face the drive alone, I couldn't see anything, or pray for the rent , turning into stone, mine was never to Ken, so brother keep me dealing, when our flight has flown, sweeten my lips believing, the ocean is my own.

Yana

How do I make this scene, looking cool on vodka, as if it will protect me, off my face with anxiety, hands pushed down the sofa, eyes look around furtively, places like you’ve always been, red and yellow dank cellar, her smile smiles sweetly, the great days of history, she loosens first my collar, we sit side by side umbilically, she is like a gift from the sea, cracks open the Rioja, awaits the next epiphany, doesn't bother with identity, has neither sou nor dollar, wants to explore my territory, no one here to stop her.

Xena

Show us at our best, find a sail to make us thrill, our flight to change address, if there’s more to caress, battered nights leave us still, fix our weathered compass, a raging thirst we can't refresh, a map, some salt, make us kill, a hope we can’t assess, let us struggle past duress, face each wave and rill, send us back if we regress, by flame or water to confess, devoured by men and kids, can we pass the test, hope that soon we’ll be set, where you eat your fill, settled in the inventive West, ringing open all the tills.

Waya

Kills me with laughter, on her sunny days, dances like a warrior, talks of a writer, bright and unfazed, who never left her mother, though she travels anyway, in a young beatnik phase, it brings me no surprise, hearing trains at midnight, when love holds sway, provides no alibi, for kisses in the rain, on St Bartholomew’s quay, wonder of each new day, morning cafe' fights, the pain of daughters’, a crucifix held high, . in winter’s river.

Valentina

Truth was never easy for you, especially this campaign, your breath warm fish glue, sits frightened on my lips, this is no child’s game, iron scabbard at the hip, what really is the news, chasing my days, with a man like you, who cannot be shipped, outside of slavery, a sheath of arrows tipped, olive leaves around your hue, golden trinkets silken days, disguise your crass virtue, better to love unhindered, face down outrageous claims, sail by stars to Ardith, is Glory on your blade ?

Ula

Won’t you let me see, his only rest in peace, he only asked for freedom, the consolation of his bones, a human soul or shady tree, beside these heaving boats, I sing you all a melody, a bitter chant of make believe, for your own eyes destiny, as you wait to board, this swarm of human seed, only one remains to load, the dancing lights of Italy, Lampedusa’s moonlit sea, rock of Simon Peter, Europe hear our moans, New York light a greeting, a shoreline bears his clothes, he sailed to enter history.