Rosemary

More than any laughter, blood seeps around her knees. it's like broken water, but life isn't hell, its toll is at her feet, a used cartridge shell, elated or in despair, she can cry if she pleases, or wonder who cares, she stands by the river, swears she'll never release, names he called daughters', in matters of distance, knows what she's leaving, why beg forgiveness, a dank set of stairs, times that brought sympathy, a rope just for her, yellow nights of weeping.

Quiana

Brother what was that time, when I prayed on trains. sweated for your child, did you watch me plumb, a drain pipe in the rain, to fashion us a home, poets from another clime, say God is not to blame, for these tears and brine, who says find the zone where life remains the same, why need to use your 'fone, anchors bind my hands, ships ply ancient lanes, nothing seems to rhyme, you laugh in dogged tones, cannot bear to chase, a love that'doesn't chime, I am not your slave.

Phoebe

Truth is never easy, especially on this campaign, breath fresh with Listerine, frightened by my lips, this is no child’s game, what I might let slip, why do I bring treats, chasing my salad days, for a man in retreat, what cannot be shipped, is life outside of gain, a sheath of cotton ripped, fashioned into creases, golden ring ablaze, cannot mask a heart cheat, will your bedrock bleed, disown outrageous claims, sail by stars to sea, cancel your name ?

Octavia

Do we know how to give, live a lifetime of greed, in order to love, is there some clue, like it’s in our creed, this gift for bad news, what about your lover, with all her surly needs, a yellow light wonders, does her face bear the blues, witness crass ease, sling back high heeled shoes, would you leave her in sin, join death's black weeds, continue spinning fibs, know what to exclude, say too much to agree, stones,flowers,pieces of wood, conjure your freedom ?

Naomi

My parents say i'm torn, oh they used to create, you don't know you're born, single women with children, state you'll be okay, just don't give in, Our Lady knows my form, no matter what games they play, such an ill hearted home, my Pa was unfaithful, lost within his ways, now he is mainly ill, I only asked for warmth, without any praise, it's my child's communion, don't wish to be unforgiving, but i no longer sway, before their sad mission, shuttered by obeying

Naomi

My parents say i'm torn, oh they used to create, you wouldn't know how forlorn, women with single children, state you'll be okay, just don't give in, Our Lady knows my form, no matter what games they play, such an ill hearted home, my Pa was unfaithful, lost within his ways, now he is mainly ill, I only asked for warmth, without any praise, it's my child's communion, don't wish to be unforgiving, but i no longer sway, before their sad mission, straitened by obeying.

Mona

Don't bring me stolen jewels, make me laugh through tears, dance with simple fools, under cold white stars, water runs ligthtning clear, you can’t stand my sparks, my dreams add further fuel, to others you draw near, pass me money for sooth, smile like a ighthouse arc, remember the ached for years, when you were my spar. turn your head you fool, let me want to hear, times you lit my fuse, how I miss those starts, stronger than your fears, we didn't get very far, I miss those tears.