Jay

Blow smoke across my tears, share jokes in the dust, then she disappears, I even know the jail , a blanket for our love, whose passage never fails, what brought her here, in the lilac dusk, a woman once so clear, ice blue on the rails, a player till she's bust, absorbed in all her ways, no one could get near, a spark never dull, I swallow all my fears, haunt me like I failed, I did what I could, roll tobacco in red paper, store away the years, her perfume is like musk, across this bar a tear, who betrayed her trust?

Isabella

What hours do we keep, they ask the blue shadows, strained on dark brown seats, leave us alone will you, our mouths don’t need notes, we 've heard the news, we are not at liberty, to repeat old jokes, these colours of simplicity, do what they always do, much as anything we know, make every space a view, it’s our mission to keep, a ray of hope, survive this place of dreams, ask us what is true, even if its only show, we won’t play bitter tunes, dance ourselves to frenzy, worry what’s below, a flower signals our belief, to sail without ropes.

Artie

The letters says we're done, you don’t need a sunset, our ashes blown and gone, give this place its due, it’ll take any bet, won’t wait for thank yous, fire and distant thunder, traps have all been set, the gold stretches between us, my tongue is parchment glue, a seal on every debt, I walk along the avenue, don't know where I’m from, tired of cigarettes, the muse at my shoulder, says what isn’t true the houses that we’ve left, squabbling over what to do, it’s how our world crumbles, the rooms that we rent, on each night a number, signs that twist me yet?

Joanne

Give me some sweet sign, in darkness marine blue, my eyes in constant flight, don’t come near I moan, this café’ has its virtue, no one here stands alone, spin me this evening light, eager to burn the fuse, pray for all our lives, never more than amens, our dance of sweet perfume, temptation ruins my soul, we’ll sail across the night, say what’s mostly true, only God decides, hold me growing old, console me with good news, other candles blown, bells ring out of sight, our journey maybe confused, your tears tell me why, I’ll always be in you.

Anya

Since we've been away, I don't know what to do, but each night pray, you break the maddened stone, is it finished for you, young one’s still at home, keep the time of day, hear them sing of truth, nothing more to say, no choice but to go, always read the runes, roll like golden domes, signs are all spray paint, hope is not our ruin, we’ve had our play, confined within these rooms, it betrays little clue, this window bears my bones, you sing a song of praise see the creep of moon, new horizons at this café’, when you think of love?

Natalie

We stretch our sunny days, your smile's a living dream, now you're on your way, save me the good news, like a near one’s face, you always know what to do, laughing if it rains, over the water Wallasey, it’s great to see you again, there’s a spirit in you, that’s so easy, no parish of broken rules, demands you work and save, whenever there's a need, you might even take sail, the lovers that you spooked, from one act scenes, you're nobody’s fool, painting in a warm cafe', returns all that feeling, volunteer more days, shining not speaking.

Oriol

Can you identify, that easy thing, between Doll’s House and sky, what has been emptied, makes other parts sing, like love to this waterside, you need no inquiry, when dreams become nothing, and then buried, who needs bells to chime, when we all think, here’s such a good time, some drive Mercedes, laugh as they fling, stuff that makes them happy, each stage of life, can end in a blink, some kiss their wives, in a summer's twilight, you might watch me string, streamers on a kite, then we’ll start flying.

Joe

In the garden metal creaks, I listen to the rain, and turn somehow to speak, this is not my tune, I say, but my words aren’t new, old bricks are stubbled green, an afternoon shower prevaricates, it knows what I've seen, Paris and sunlit avenues, not just as a keepsake, but places I well knew, dressed in O’Neil’s cotton tee, I pull a smiley face, it reaches to my knees, besides us a Magnolia blooms, this yard’s like a cradle, you can smell the Ocean, it’s a joy to squeeze, a life from many taken, a manner so to speak, we live best this way.

Womack

Painting by an unlit lamp, a tree, the bridge, shaking, working like a tramp, I listen to the news, someone else to hate, other cud to chew, it makes a decorater dance, if I play this game, we could go to France, hoping we’re not askew, wondering what's to gain, whatever else we do, all this talk of paths, they’ll scatter our remains, whenever there’s a chance, someone will bring a van, sing hooly what a day, drink before we’re asked, cigarettes and laughs, beer drunk like champagne, life here is crap,

Steve Miller

Let me engage, your tattooed feet in dance, rooms glow in dark spaces, I know what to do, wait for kindness to land, try to make life smooth, there’s nothing in this game, rides on pure chance, when you pull away, you’re great at slow moves, a thief of lonely repast don't let them get to you, my life is framed, your face is tanned, gliding around this café’, tell me sink a few, put down the chip pan, there’s only one of you, twirl me 'round again, throw me off balance, say what you have to say, I’ll take my chance.

Subterranean

Ferlinghetti deigns from on high, is that my memory, you have to wonder why, if it's true, he’s as bad as me, goggles blue as jewels, his diamond eyes burn bright, has hopes of continuing free, the manager here is fine, says what a work crew, she fires off breezily, they’d sleep till noon, sailing the sky, then sink below scrutiny, in this cold April light, they're so sad and cool, who can expect sympathy, when things turn unusual, on these long dives, he sinks for the company, doesn’t know if she’s right, it’s all for the café’.

James Mac

My eyes fix a place, where we just carry on, where no one bears blame, or cares about our ways, a tide rises then is gone, beyond any time frame, then you stroke my face, your running lines worn, delta of a smiling face, soon we’ll be safe, make wolf howls at the moon, the joy of running away, maybe we'll take a train, search for a winter stove, somewhere safe to lay, we’ll raise our game, make light of broken rooms, love’s better on absent days, beats the clock’s disgrace, explosive as a bomb, no one will ever say, we’re better off alone?

Plasterer Bobby

For each little bit of you, if anyone enquires, don’t give them a clue, life isn't a stone, thrown into the fire, why should I atone, my little cup of ruin, sings more than a choir, I still have the tunes, know in my bones, this poisoned desire, it makes you groan, whoever reads the news, to see who's for hire, I know my own truth, if no one 'phones, I'll sail the evening light, leave well alone, dance the avenues, sing on the wire, I’ve always paid dues, am no kiss ass liar.

Dharma Bums

When someone shouts out rules, keep away from spills, sings down your tunnel, life is not some Santa Fe, that anyone can kill, plans give you headway, money owed to every fool, find ways to laugh until. structures rise in every room, a new prayer each day, will always fulfil, demands of tiles and rage, dream of good news, don't worry at the chill, those who want to refuse, never heat the metal, there's always bills, to make the rubbish bloom, no need for lovers' curfew, to slake your thrills, start with silent effort, paint walls Eau de Nil.

Caroline

Why seek this useless retreat, for all you cannot find, when nothing seems to please, he won't hear good news, that love just needs time, from him there’s always truth, he hates a drop of coffee, that doesn't rate sublime, or when he turns to alchemy, can't disguise the hue, case what's in his mind, he leaves that up to you, why shake your car keys, the moon is on the rise, pallets bring no Odyssey, rather than a loving creed, for what you might divine, he’d prefer to bleed, plumb a sense of ease, thoughts are on the rise, he’ll rage at their deceit, further down the line.

Davide

I cook like Marcel Duchamp, and walk with weary gait, scent of my cologne is damp, bring cognac to my station, send dishes by measured paces, feed my broken frame, am not someone to look upon, swaying like a knave, singing what I’ve done, unshaven waiters, in this cafe', often see my hands shake, women before me unmoved, with buttered hair on trains, talk of what’s above , painting is what i crave, museums are lonely places, my uncertain forays, begin from this place, that really is my fame, this café’ only a caravan, to carry my name.

Sandi

When I say 'screw you', It makes my troubles light, so much more to do, will all Chefs die intestate? however much they fight, useless venom at the plates, screaming at menus, their eyes a terrible sight, frightened kitchen crews, fire burns around their face, don't ask me why, anchors bind my feet, even God is not immune, debts gone from my eyes, no longer am I duped, wouldn't it be great, to feel a love inside, instead of this new place, my house beyond the dunes, lying near the tide, this café’ brings me truth, hangs me out to dry?

Artist Esme

Is this really the place, for me to cry, even love has a name, life around him shows, the beat of time, nothing except this photo, soaked like the ocean main, the airways we fly, always open to rebate, what is left to know, when he hails the sky, another scheme or last throw, you once jumped bail, got out before time, beyond the spike of jail, your mask atones, for all the constant why’s, have the stars grown cold, it's not easy to explain, what goes on inside, your face ingrained, to roll the dice?

King Vinny

I feel the loss of you, stepping off this train, that much is certain, my face isn’t done, it sends anyone that way, on the Streets or Metro, I haven’t got a clue, everywhere I play, do I call for dues, you arranged the loans, introduced me to the reprobates, told me to be strong, now look what’s new, my voice flares and fades, Is this really an issue, when I used to moan, you tried to erase, everything I called a Crown, the crowd all wail on cue, sing soul to the brave truth is a bitter fruit, it shines just the same.

Comrades

We still hear our Da’s, laughing like fog horns, it seems so far, happy they’re not scarred, or left forlorn, our Ma’s besides them start, when they stamp the tar, like men o war, the car won’t start, right from the off, between them torn, they have great hearts, but don’t figure in charts, their sons know the score', times they’ve gone too far, sing like larks, lipstick, a shirt that’s torn, in a shed by a barn, they’ll kill those tarts, love has no form, will never fall apart, beside these walls.

Faith and Hope

Scrubbed brick walls, whisper our name, waters shift and groan, if trouble’s all you need, seek solace every day, makes sure you never feel, totally alone, the stones swell with rain, it’s best not to moan, hold onto our creed, don't swallow gain, take holidays by the sea, sunshine’s good for bones, we’ll try to stay sane, make this our living home, embraced for eternity, it's not lame, to sing that we’re free, just watch us go, dance amongst the flames, how our picture shows, love without pain.

Pig of a Job

Laugh at hopes betrayed, gathers golden rings, wears them to his grave, make him say a truth, to every smartphone ping, notes arrive on cue, what a dance they make, on woven silks they bring, threads to hide their faces, if only they knew, pig is not a circus thing, but murders quite a few, smoke hangs in the rain, they ask him to sing, the songs of Billy Holiday, ships play lovely tunes, he really loves the spray, it blows away the Blues, will gamble all and say, life to me is everything, don’t regret a single day, grey dawn’s lightening.

Patrick

Nothing else to gain, a knife to our throat, this is the only escape, they'll depart soon, bloodied on the waves, despite the dreadful new, we’ll survive the wait, feel it in our bones, never hesitate, battle against their hooks, won’t need a throne, or the love of fools, hold that broken gaze, we're not a rolling stone, only Brigands seek escape, there’s no need to swoon, we won’t use the rope, you are no one's tool, it's not too late, make them swear and go, this is not our fate, we’re better off alone.

Builder Dave

What it means to try, within a screaming gale, hoping not to lie, in your bones, you don't need to fail, to find yourself alone, studying a time, when life’s a trial, helped along by wine, how you atone, when love wails, in faces around your home, flip a coin see the sky, think of taking sail, best to leave this way, walk on broken stones, discard desolate mail, be kind to weeping hosts, try to dance the while can’t be worse than Jail, never lose that big smile, when you hit the trail.

Paul

Say you’ll get a grip, please don’t rage and moan, give me that old guff, you don't need drink to say, stash it as you go, find the need to get away, you always make surly trips, a manacled wretched clone, watch others dance so hip, won’t let your spirits fray, down unforgiving zones, lies in everything they say, make your laughter drip, like alcoholic mojos, with their lousy 'scripts, will you get some sleep, for all your unpaid loans, when faith makes a leap, don’t wonder why her kiss, beats every childhood groan, here’s another coffin ship, waiting as your home.

Adam

She has such giving ways, brings me Bollinger, on my birthday, what can we do alone, without the sense, of living out our time, wine pours down my face, it’s like a Christening, she slices the Angel cake, are we here or gone, without a penny to spin, laugh at the unknown, sample the waste, our jellied lives crowned, when called upon to pray, we roll and pitch astern, like ships on the sea, will this yard atone, for the greatest of days, awash with pay slips, it’s easy to celebrate, her rubbish in the spirit.

Simon

Tell me, tell me why, they treat you like a seer, my lips dance in delight , you command a beautiful air, bells wash away the fear, candle scent and myrrh, who says when we die, there’s call for stolen tears, demands we have to try, life contains a passionate flair, a proud songster, our joy in what we share, I walk like a man gone by, through the city's cheer, so hot it seems to fry, every stolen lair, strum songs for their ears, we don’t have a care, our heads full of literature, they love orators here, in darkness and green light, you say it’s only fair.

Asia's Beat Eyes

What do you care, don't hold me in traces, you wouldn't dare, the tune is not easy, blue folds in my face, spun by the breeze, say you need to share, our kissing place, why store me here, in chains to the sea, unlike your gaze, a hymn to what’s seized, I know what's fair, when your eyes glaze, lips that snare, on swollen dreams, no one escapes, sugar sweet, we are no choir, If this Café’s so great, are you aware, what you face?

Dominic

Fear is dark around the bight, makes me swallow ancient flame, wait for lamps to shine, when I'm near to you, I'm certain that I’ll stay, the rocks make different hues, you say dead right, it only takes a moment to pray, drink a little sweet wine, there are many paths through, a muso can't explain, forget the bitter feuds, laughter comes at better times, no one's here to blame, we don’t have to fight, fire cannot use, or sand dunes sweep away, the return of the new, beyond this moonless night, I need you to state, say break our silence, let’s go home again.

Emma

A painter of religious scenes, she dabs around a glaze, a thirty-year-old dream, regards the work she’s honed, abandoned to this game, it’s never set in stone, yellow days of sunbeams, she always feels the same, images not what they mean, the canvas lets her roam, a stretch on wooden nails, in many ways she's gone, a matchstick in the sea, bobbing without a name, floating for eternity, work is hard to own, laughs come day to day, in this ocean town, her head cries for relief, sunken eyes go missing, her mind is never easy, she nails another frame.

Gerard

Before my fame, I only thought of you, and the games we played, shadows pass in smoke, set against this bitter truth, I'm broke, you threw away, my successful poems, in that different age, at this ruin alone, can't see in the gloom, the café’ that’s gone, I fell off the stage, I should have blossomed, made everyone happy, now sing a simple Solo, a lonely man soothed, on his way home, to begin again, poets will see me through, going down the Freeway, I'll think of you.