Jo Two

We truly chant and swear, first ones hit the spot, others just don't care, no drama or lucky stars, our debts a mounting cost, the journey's always far, a moon bright under glare, each place lit with dots, no one hides in here, whoever makes a mark, another folds the cards, there are no easy starts, lemon fears laid bare, rusty nails our lot, weak are those who share, danger near or far, before any littered cot, fairy queen Jack Tars, bones stripped bare, on walls sweating lust, forget previous dares, this one is rubbed out.

Jo

On a bed that creaks, she listens to the rain, and turns to speak, it’s not my tune, she says, the words unused, the walls washed green, the moon in train, knows where she's been, Paris and sunlit avenues, not somewhere fake, or nostalgie de la boue, wrapped in a cotton sheet, she slips to the jakes, it reaches her knees, outside a Magnolia blooms, this bed's like a cradle, it murmurs in the room, you can smell the sea, from many a life taken, somehow she squeezes, her features release, a face for the day.

Paul Three

You pull on your gloves, take your time, say you're no longer in love, remember the tune, that forgives broken lives, it still beats true, heaven's a cover, when you touch that line, don't reach it in blood, want for them to hit you, when the bell chimes, fix up the bedroom, give to those who scrub, lead a generous life, not always in the clubs, like you'd never rue, the mysteries of wine, hear your fists go boom, listen to what's above, shudder without a dime, fly like a released dove, it feels right.

Paul Two

When liars shout out rules, keep away from pills, sing your own tunes, life is not some Santa Fe, that anyone can kill, silver gives you headway, money owed to every fool, find ways to laugh until. order sings in every room, a new prayer each day, will always fulfil, demands of lust and rage, dream of good news, don't worry at the chill, those you have to refuse, douse yourself with petrol, there'll always be bills, to make the petals bloom, no need for love's curfew, to slake your thrills, act with silent effort, reduce the debt to nil.

Paul

Don't sing them your Blues, stammer on the wire, say everyone pay some dues, life isn't a stone, left in the fire, they want you to atone, whoever breaks the news, cancelled the choir, they sing singular truths, business in their bones, poisons your desires, you'll always be alone, read all the books, they always inspire, stay away from booze, this café is your ruin, but always aspire, wear your red shoes, each little bit of you, that everyone requires, give not a clue, you're no liar.

Esme Three

Drunk enough to ask why, you've been chosen, not so much to deny, laugh at all the crazes, that they try to pose, invoke stupid phrases, say sing your favourite lines, time goes by unspoken, catch you on the fly, wonder if you’re lazy, your broken ring of stones, those sweet days of praying, smoking is no crime, to verify love's soaking, clouds lower the sky, dreams settle on packing cases, blow on cold bones, dance away the traces, flowers rest by your side, just some little token, more than any pride, they keep from being broken.

Esme Two

I live in a haze, sheltered from the wind, stuck here like sellotape, best not to moan, or set a new trend, life gives me a loan, won’t buck that train, scour the land, for the perfect way, in my worn-out clothes, I’ll enjoy being kind, am not on my bones, don't have to change, know where I’ve been, love's more than trade, when someone groans, I'll put on a grin, move out of that zone, fire up a rage, break free of sin, scrub out your name, dance again.

Esme

If there are good parts, I hear her say, they're not in your heart, I look at the moon, a spring tide today, everything comes around too soon, I'm cool but my eyes spark, wouldn't it be great, to make a new start, to find something new, she listens but waits, doesn't need truth, a psychiatrist by starts, reason's just a name, I'll sell the car, won’t let it go too far, she smiles and berates, kisses me beneath the stars, tears me apart, you’re a fool she states, not so smart, to hesitate.

Liv Three

Water runs softly, there's a need for grace, to bathe my swollen feet, restrained in my moans, I settle for this place, heart against bone, glad to leave the city, blown here by rain, all that's within me, sits at this grotto, where words fail, how to atone, for all the grim testimony, offered me this day, the price derisory, the stupid jokes alone, the useless games, discretion with clothes, I want to receive, to throw away the cage, delight in this birth, sunshine on my face.

Liv Two

Tunes jingle and you sway, my insides screech, got to make my case, between home and missing you, help me to say, what I need to do, my tear-streaked face, lemon blue by the sea, shows how It’s fate, to kill the truth, by our own conceit, through our many loops, others come late, eager to squeeze, love from this party, they re-echo the news, a coward's retreat, how I danced away from you, maybe there's a way, you can see me freely, wiping clean the slate, allowing my release?

Liv

She laughs and hums a tune, says it's stupid to lie, this is what she does, a dog from its bone, you don't want a fight, just leave her alone, the elephant in the room, she gives another sigh, teenagers make her blue, always late to home, their ask a constant why, worries if they roam, like stepping in doo doo, she’s sick of denying, what is left to rue, guilty people do atone, but this same snuffled exercise, is like a runny nose, says it’s because of you, hand open to the sky, what is she to do, take up flying?

Francine Two

Brilliant stones, tinsel your name, waters shift and groan, is trouble all you need, solace every day, makes sure you never feel, totally alone, cafe's swell with rain, it’s best not to moan, hold onto your creed, don't fall for gain, take holidays by the sea, sunshine’s good for bones, try to stay sane, no one really condones, this bird with needs, it's not lame, to sing that she’s free, just watch me go, to dance amongst flames, how the wind slows, love without pain.

Francine Three

Says I’m going nowhere, won’t stay afloat, paints my face dead slow, scrapes away at bone, has an Italian home, is always on the go, knows I’ve suffered you know, Paris and New York, but keep a cheerful tone, since our time in Rome, men with iPhones, crowd around my door, you should have seen Palermo, Linguini exorbitant loans, I really did glow, but where in his show, do I throw away my soul, everyone I meet’s called Joe, another twist of the rope, I'm better than this dope, who hasn't got a hope, what he calls our home.

Francine

Times we ought to share, a yellow light of feasting, brings us dreams of elsewhere, let others condone, that passing daydream, of broken homes, more than any flair, she'll do what's needed, doesn’t need the stairs, to hear love's angry tones, sink around her knees, like broken water, it really isn’t fair, she knows what she's leaving, the duties of care, a used loading stone, she stands by the sea, swears that it's over, at play or in prayer, she cries when released, wonder if I'll dare, s say run away with me.

Jay Three

Who knows if she's right, if I’m just skimming, could be all me eye, like the river off Burbo Bank, her smile arrives twisting, me a lonely crank, she’ll always love sunlight, knows her own following, did someone make her sigh, lungs open like a tank, she understands my limits, where everyone wears black, next to me like a bride, her eyes moist and filling, always asks the constant why, tobacco blonde dank, I erase life by swimming, why go blank, she dances in the tide, her fame is just beginning, nails me with that smile, fresh, alive, winning.

Jay Two

Something says we're done, well before sunset, our ashes blown and gone, give God his due, our astonished bet, doesn’t wait for thank you, fire and distant thunder, traps that have been set, unfettered love amongst us, my tongue is parchment glue, red seal on every cent, it walks on Tenth avenue, don't know where I’m from, tired of cigarettes, beneath our waking stone, this is not my cruise, in houses that we let, squabbling over what to do, how my world slumbers, think somewhere there's a jet, on night winds a number, arms to hold me yet.

Jay

A smile makes you prance, fear of being caught, keeps up your smart chat, take all the chaff, show me ‘round the course, smoke and look daft, what others have found, singing myself hoarse, is a lack of balance, they just dance, but you make me worse, with your faded flowers, hold my hand and ask, is this what we're taught, when love’s such a gas, say forget the past, you know about horses, how to turn them out, why not take a chance, forget who's been bought, rock me with a cadence, draw a toil of water.

Peta Three

A cold wind blows, it stokes a fear, suddenly in the know, pearl doves arch above, nothing else comes near, but the truth of love, money for work clothes, a smile is not dear, there are no bad tones, along a weather cusp, why worry about fear, fly to those who give, is my vision so thrown, I need to be clear, a lifetime’s left to hone, will I have to shove, that barrel of heartless cheer, in order I can live, wear lipstick now for show, erase the killer years, try to steer my prow, away from frozen waters.

Peta Two

Who needs a shrink, when a lover somehow, has a problem with drink, one day he might stroll, the village full of clowns, on other times lay prone, I know what they think, he’ll always be on furlough, his head down a sink, a display for the town, show them what I've sown, outrage now he’s gone, I teeter on the brink, a whole summer down, work and strain and stink, who will want me now, face like an ice rink, bodyweight of a cow, my politics are dull pink, sweat shines on my brow, better be away from here, find another scarecrow.

Peta

What might have been, is just not fair, for a life of ease, you gave me no clue, are you that aware, to run from virtue, howling at a bad dream, your eyes flared, fighting back a scream, tell me the truth, your voice slurred, do you need more proof, to hold me sad evenings, would you care, if I danced a treat, saw through this ruse, do you dare, don't sing me the blues, love my new teeth, it won’t make you scared, the way I’m to be, is it my hair?

Donna Three

Your star is coming home, carried by a drone, in shelters you lie prone, why whisper love, on throwaway 'phones, face ravaged like the moon, saints show their bones, a poem calms your soul, you can now drink alone, pigeons arch above, a lifetime of men’s groans, fly to those who give, fresh linen and eau de cologne, leaves you on the ropes, you wear a red coat, never one for pearls, money comes and goes, listen to the doves, trying to find a home, a jewel built of stone, search a road called hope, this is your dome.

Donna Two

I'm not your grip, nor the big sea, the yellow light hid, you ask about my lovers, all their surly needs, they don’t have my number, what I crave to live, is break away the lead, criminal limits, find an edge of wonder, witness the creed, like my high heeled mother, stones and pieces of drift, knowing is enough to see, what's within my gift, to enslave or encumber, a lifetime of greed, or peace of sweet slumber, you leave me in sin, by title or deed, a plate spinning fib, you ask me to feed.

Donna

Facedown terrible claims, no star can refuse, through outrageous fame, you who wonder why, lordly canons of virtue, always snake the lie, this's no game, TV's blare fake news, chase me through my days, hurl their constant cry, let them sing the blues, for all the crass disguise, hardships on the way, nothing here to rue, hit them on the make, only fools ask why, to someone like you, look them in the eye, always in their gaze, better face the Doo Doo, I'm tired of catching planes, heavy with the truth.

Corys Three

Bells ring out at night, try to make your mark, then a song beseeches fly, the island’s within sight, a warm embrace by dark, bless me with a sign, dusk falls in green light, five deep at the bar, gargle whisky and Canada Dry, when we climb, to fall for lovers charms, God knows the reasons why, our fame declines, the price near or far, from many a famous night, cosmic scenes of pure delight, your smile cuts through tar, beams like a searchlight, you left a family’s side, but sing like a Lark, a woman who knows her rights, and hangs by the stars.

Carys Two

Take him by the horns, it's not a place of ease, pray for all you know, he’s not defined by flaws, or other things you dream, scream just because, your love’s on the floor, your almond eyes plead, bells roll out the score, make me love him more, don’t pretend it’s free, keep within the law, if you have to go, it's all right with me, just don’t slam the door, hope’s all we call upon, is always meant to be, in this constant roar, think of eternity, Blues you can cheat, but with this chameleon, who needs the sea?

Carys

You’ll pay a heavy score, almond eyes ruined, when love goes raw, if you feel my bones, wilt like a sinking boom, you know what you've done, life gone all the more, leave me here to stew, forget that broken law, why waste away at home, only fools pay dues, scatter the freeway cones, divine me as your trawl, other stuff you blew, don't scream because, hard acts in your tone, a warrior out of tune, some forgotten poem, you know you’ll get caught, drain winter into June, all the stuff you swore, promising the moon.

Anya Four

The one of you we knew, used to play it short, rage at winter’s Blues, in this consumer light, you return without a phone, not very wise, nothing gives us a clue, no print or written law, if your trail’s well used, did we know your plight, or try to stop you go, with your cards so slight, we’ll never be cool, that beats to others' tones, hard to make the rules, what we know of you, wouldn't let us condone, stuff that’s hard to do, now you’re back home.

Anya Three

Blew flame across my tears, shared jokes in the dust, then she disappears, I know the jail, a blanket for our trust, where love never fails, what brought you here, in the lilac dusk, a woman once so clear, ice blue as the rails, a player till she's bust, absorbed in all her ways, no one could get near, a spark that never shuts, I swallowed all my fears, haunts me like I failed, I did what I could, danced on broken plates, stored away the years, her perfume is like musk, her charm a laughing beer, someone you could trust.

Anya Two

They say up your game, leave other stuff to chance, shuffle the remains, listen to some wounded song, time could never lance, find a need to belong, watching the rain, sheet down a broken path, this is how we fail, noisy crowds and throngs, butterflies and elephants, ridden by sneering narks, red lips and white lace, cigarettes tremble and laugh, time shows its other face, here we just bumble along, flying by our pants, hope to right some wrong, a drink my hands shaking, shuffle by unlit lamps, kindness passes unabated, stomach full of cramp.

Anya

Since you've been away, we don't know what to do, but each night pray, to break the anvil stone, say it’s ready for you, everyone hates you gone, to sleep this time of day, hear you sing the blues, we’ve nothing more to say, said you had to go, to stamp out the fool, head a bag of marbles, our lives have turned grey, Gin won’t be your ruin, nor your smoking phase, confined within your roam, you've little need of truth, but we want you home, beat our wings in praise, see the creep of moon, new horizons are great, let them have their due.

Chris Three

I paint like Bernardo alone, walk with a weary gait, feel my shoes worn, bring cognac to my table, napkins folded on a plate, feed my ravenous frame, no picture to look upon, swaying like a knave, wanting my work done, unshaven waiters, in winter cafes, sometimes call my name, women before me clamp, buttered hair on trains, say it makes them Glam, paintings are what I crave, museums have a lonely gaze, on short uncertain forays, they shine beneath a lamp, they could be my fame, this small room my last, to forge my name.