Francesca

Why treat me so uncouth, enclude me in your dreams, melt me lemon blue, with your scents and perfumes, and easy Ballet scenes, don’t run a knife through glue, your palace lies in ruins, dances feather like in the sea, its walls are yellow mildew, take me there as rescue, and forever gently ease, its face to mine in tribute, your tiny satin shoes, splay like tambourines, waiting for such a move, why leave me here as rebuke, if you’ve someone else to see, no one need know the truth, rise above its beams.

Eileen

You'd pray everything’s right, your daughter says, including unforgiven light, you smile between moans, laugh as if sunlit all day, but who will control us, around your eyes, there’s a certain terrain, the love that we prized, chasing numbers like a drone, the lights of Bingo emporiums, in rain or touch of snow, as if passing by you sigh, does everyone think that way, smoking your Marlboro Lites, could never get the tone, as your family raged, water falling pheromones, no more use as blame.

Dee Dee

We dream of justice, jangled thrown away, dream of life consistent, when we think of home, whoever believes that domain, do we think of love, rage does not absolve us, nor further troubles gain, we wash dishes on the move, calendars retain the known, need now to turn the page, polish our brilliant stones, all our interests, with loving children every day, make us take a back step, we cannot undo what’s done, great stories have to wait, our endless tales mellowed, how we live today.

Christine

When I look to see, three missed trains, your face is both relic and screen, what is it you wish to hear, that love alone should remain, becalmed as the vanquished bar, are those lines just tweaked, in the wine given away, nights of cafe's and drunken sleeps, beyond the carriage car, trees wave in gentle rain, cigarettes assist your jar, electrics shush to the wheels, I hear them rush away today, unhearing of your childish zeal, what makes you scared, wrapped around you every day, my mother says take care your talk to stay sane ?

Billie

1983 was a big year for me, nearly 40 years ago Wowee, met my partner Sandra G, howling down the 'phone, raging in midstream, says all artists die alone, a photographer of big Beasts, and unashamed sclerotic dreams, she recounts all her stories, rocking episodes one by one, that terminate at the sea, their shadows dance in tune, storms at could have beens, God grants us dynamic scenes, forging history out of nothing, wherever she still carries on, in heaven with an ice cream, laughing at that time gone, such an enlightened being.

Angie

Here’s a wish for you, who do you think comes first, in everything you do, wish I wasn’t around, ask what it’s like to thirst, when summer comes to an end, you say the sea alone is blue, haven’t time for mirth, to know when something’s due, was it by the Sound, you left such trails well versed, to know I'd sit alone, you try to ring on cue, sometimes for the worst, from desolate white walled cubes, the river shines where debt is shone, stars and light converse, your reach for me is gone, are you scared ?

Aria

The sea’s a dancing mirror, twisting brightly on the tide, a breeze has you stand there, my being demands a throne, any jukebox lights my fire, don’t act the holy one, can you be less bitter, this shining star of mine, your summer of whisky tremors, aboard your sloop Carona, sailing dangerously miles wide, please don’t stop to moan, keep me flowing like a river, fill my cup of singing pride, love me while I consider, if I make a show, will you always be inclined, to buy me shoes, perfume, clothes, want me as your bride ?

Zadie

In the white washed rooms, proclaimed by the sea, let me show you an heirloom, a common man working plain, his cross of Saint Anthony, swings gently on its chain, our impending sense of doom, crumpled cups at the infirmary, radios play an empty tune, the doctor's sad face, not as it should be, Papa is gone from us, where are those rutted grooves, we ran in a summer lanes, fixing hedges strong as a loon, his laughter gentle as rain, roused us drowsy from sleep, he won’t come again, loss brings such certainty.

Yalonde

Before you came for me, I would carry the light, of love to the sea, would you give or care, for what I thought was right, sailing ships of might and turn, famed brightly for their speed, their whispered sails at night, commerce in their creed, why provide for all to learn, silk cushions swathe my thighs, reflecting what you earn, sun sparkles in gardens at Thebes, a power beyond my sight, days you wept and screamed, such dreams I couldn’t bear, demands for a little child, a baby son and heir, all the fury in your smile.

Xena

At the gangway she takes a right, away from drinkers and vagrants, her youngest suffers that plight, there's a Chapel alone, behind where the cruise ships lay, she heads towards it like Rome, her mind racing and alight, to reach that cool oasis, away from the tourist cries, she eyes their pressed clothes, they dance like wraiths, beneath the sun, in the gloam, stilled by her troubled mind, she avoids their laughing landscapes, constant dreams of golden skies, arrived she waits a moment, feels the Stone’s sweet glaze, scented candles at her shoulder, fires the ancient flame.

Wenna

Do we know how to give, will a lifetime of greed, bring the love we miss, do you sometimes wonder, if it’s in our creed, our gift to wonder, does love wear a feature, make us tremble at the knees, perfume, lipstick, high heels, and what about our lovers, with all their surly needs, in yellow nights of summer, pray tell us how to live, stroll bright days in weeds, if luck takes a trip, are we so encumbered, knowing just enough to see, to drag a stone or lumber, howling with relief ?

Valenciana

Summer clouds her blue eyes, she knows the uncertainty, love is the big why, what separates from her bones, stuff that makes her dream, is sight of water, a hero home, surrounded by impressive skies, she feels the pull of destiny, not some faded alibi, Our Lady says she’s not alone, with inchoate thoughts and schemes, the wind her great bellows, memory’s arc of scurried nights, a map, a bottle, all the wean, the thrill of troubled flight, she’s conscious that she’s bold, sees the line of harvest teams, hears the horses groan, better the sea .

Ummi

If he's happy let him go, this woman loved you, isn't that enough to know, you didn't treat him right, you can say that now, whatever those nights, he has another mojo, hair curled a dancing loon, can’t you see him flow, a mirror for your eyes, when you hear dogs moan, try to act wise, how he wears cotton clothes, why sympathise , with a man you’ve stolen, caught out of sight, sing a songbird's gruel, listen to the cock crow, hear his refusals?

Tamara

My day is just a swank, I dance in the tide, fresh and alive off Burbo bank, he kills me with his laughter, wants me as a bride, helps me ride another breaker, shakes his bony shanks, tobacco blue water on the tide, he’s a writer not a crank, I won’t say he’s famous, but his smile’s estuary wide, ships enter their channel lanes, his soul isn’t dank, who never left a mother’s side, neither is he a windbag, I could produce many Shamans, Medea would use the knife, why bother when you say, he’s mine tonight.

Sue

Miles beyond her district zone, love catches on the breeze, like a river on its bones, inflated or in despair, she cries when she pleases, if it's absent on the stairs, then neither is it gloom, to that other disease, iron bed tight and honed, where she stands and declares, she'll never release, that little doll of hers, why she’s leaving home, all the plans and secrets, brings a quiet celebratory storm, at times in her underwear, the yellow light of feasting, sometimes makes her scared, but she believes.

Rhianna

Tell me what was that time, when I kneeled to pray, sweating all the time, did you watch me rocking, arms like pipes in the rain, it’s not me who’s shocking, the poets of Loire Maritime, say God is never afraid, there is a love inside, my tears are unblocking, we pay just the same, you see the birds flocking, they exist in different climes, freighters ride on ancient lanes, twisting between their lines, is this what makes you mock, any choice but to remain, anchors weigh us like clocks, you will need my reins.

Querida

A needle truth is never easy, especially on this campaign, your cold fish knife cleaving, held towards my thighs, believe me no child’s game, a flash of blinding light, what am I supposed to feel, enduring these days, with someone who seems, constantly in flight, afraid of fight or change, a gauze filtered prism, separate from love’s delight, what makes you delay, our crossing on fevered nights, it is better to dream, face you down make it plain, pull you to your salted knees, America on your blade.

Pamela

Our ship leaves the harbour wall, in darkness and green light, who would carry us at all, tell me, tell me why, sails spread in translucent flight, you rage against their spite, a high strung hammock makes you call, when bells ring the night, we will see our own downfall, love spreads across the Bight, Africa comes within sight, its warm embrace widening, why when I kiss your sweet jaw, across the shining moonlight, you talk of useless laws, something is not quite right, rubbed petals for sweet delight, beside you our baby cries, your face a tissue of lies.

Oceana

Summer clouds her blue eyes, she knows she is free, but love is the big why, what separates from her bones, is stuff that makes her dream, the sight of water, a hero home, surrounded by impassive skies, she feels the pull of certainty, not some folded alibi, Our Lady says she’s not alone, sing yellow plans and schemes, the wind her great bellows, memory’s arc of scurried nights, a map, a bottle, all the wean, the thrill of troubled flight, conscious that she’s bold, sees the line of harvest teams, won’t do that tells herself so, she’ll sail again the sea .

Naomi

Don't leave your dreams, with those most persistent, of serious mien and demeanour, they're for those who gloam, who travel huge distances, you never felt alone, you grace our daily scenes, how different in that instant, you altered all our visions, now love a shipwrecked rover, a sight of heaven mister, a pirate of golden bones, a wayward soul who deems, you are his angel’s conductor, if security comes between, the offering of someone torn, or good men of the justice, is it children and home, no one does it for us ?

Mary

Across my vision Athens, on my sleeve a chance number, we’re silent at its shedding, those faces a sweet shining, a garrotted wonder, as if they were swimming, I whisper to myself, how the world slumbers, fallen within a spell, we shelter beneath the limes, the sea’s gentle thunder, a storm within the fire, a nation brought to this, a night time of whispers, lost in this parched wilderness, it makes our days entwine, one sun washed conundrum, the sailors are swilling wine, our City can’t go under.

Laura

Give me demon jewels, let me laugh through tears, even dance with fools, under cold white stars, golden waters bathe me clear, I can’t stand this war, my dream is for renewal, servants can spike fear, money make them drool, their smiles come from afar, aching for those peaceful years, when I soared like a lark, turn my head aside, look cool, news makes me not want to hear, what they've done is cruel, my gait lights the dark, sparklers sing at my ears, I’ll make them see the cost, they'll rue this Seer.

Kieron

This awful strumpet year, sea crashing on rocks baby, is going to be different, down to the city by train, nothing about maybe, hate long journeys in the rain, it’s only my fear, pray long distance to Our Lady, I won’t wallow in tears no need to feel ashamed, when you call me crazy, the water is my holy grail, Sparta Corinth yesteryear, I was a pirate trading, let me make it clear, assure you I’m not lazy, fill this ship with lading, bring you peace of St Saviour, I will find a way.

Jane

The wind holds its breath, it caresses our ship, we want to dance instead, in downtown clubs, with bad drunks hard hips, who can’t feign enough, those gloomy inward men, whose creative quips, make us sorry for them, they crawl like bugs, desire our lips, don’t care how we tut, we say what the hell, go take a pill, dab perfume erase the spell, this ship will fly with us, we know our maritime drill, when to unfurl or trim, always keep a steady grip.

Inez

My time goes by unseen, afraid of kids, family, my bones, you closed off my dreams, which face did you use, outside the stables or by the lawn, when you struck and threw, those weekend scenes, if anyone hears my groans, the roar of silent streams, you pick a time you knew, raise your scare brained tones, discard everything true, morning chit chat, is too extreme, survey my jewels and clothes, breakfast on Baileys with Cream, this ring side is a lighted fuse, it’s why I say go home, sing your own life's blues, it’s all written down.

Hadley

She regards a dawning sea, each dance is a trip, and wonders about her feet, if she feels love, not knowing what to give, still needs to keep strong, bars fuel her sole conceit, every song shakes her hips, sunrise greets the Atlantic, brown wood yards, their blond hearts stripped, stand closely by the docks, when morning turns green, she dresses and skips, to the heaven on 8th Street, says a prayer up above, wishes on communion lips, that maybe a turtle dove, might bring her a kiss ?

Greca

Who will clap you now. make you drink more drink, show you where’s no shadow, your eyes beat like fireflies, they dance on the brink, this hot Sunday in July, the rocking of the boat, sunlight swathes the links, how far will it take you, ship's sails unfurl and glide, your golden skin and trinkets, who has never been wise, but your friend sits alone, what is he thinking, his laughter comes hollow, perhaps your new side, will make him think, an Aria to the sky, kiss your face pink ?

Gaia

Could you love me, demand we save this earth, the way it used to be, look at me, I whisper, do you think I’m scared, whatever the resistance, a few drinks, a glossy evening, would you care, the thousand nights we believed, you’re no one's tipster, you tipple and declare, becoming a regular hipster, expecting a scene, your eyes get flared, when I ask for your dreams, was it that church chorister, who sang the world turns, why don’t you listen, you might hear it burn.

Faith

You whisper your grace, down a public telephone, massage your ravaged face, the arcs of your concern, a lifetime, learning to moan, bright flames that never burn, luminous as the lace, that lightens your clothes, who knows how your heartbreaks, are you free to discern, sweet linen and eau de cologne, you know where love ends, the gifts of Saint Teresa, and other’s sacred bones, enhance light from this place, take from them and learn, never go for broke, beyond what you have earned, no star shines alone.

Elly

Don't talk to me and pause, sea shores where rivers widen, she’s our daughter, we've heard your tales, they don't make an interesting life, how you lied and railed, when you slammed the door, she writhed still kicking inside, what you said was poor, then a letter suddenly regales, from nowhere in your Paradise, Kobe, Manila’s Palisades, left as a reminder, a cork, places to cope after you sigh, sailing out from every port, from here we can see Wales, this lovely beach and sky, bottles, tar, feather your tales, is it hope you buy ?

Delilah

The cliffs are sourball blue, your smile’s a scarecrow, our ancestors refused, garrotted by your steady leap, you'll hurt us with your no, that dancing smile asleep, are you looking for the truth, take this glove and go, scrape the hand of the new, a knife wound above the sea, a young woman free to bestow, love to midnight’s serendipity, a ring of your lost fugue, by stars of August's Apollo, rage around her moon, hold her though you feel, she’ll only warm her toes, sprinkle charms around your field, other cloth to sew.