Penelope

Am leaving without you, tired of having no clue, by these desperate ruins, chew pasta think of home, don’t know what to do, with such ungratedul souls, this friend of yours Rupert, my Italian friend brings news, says he really isn’t true, resists temptation to 'phone, but must have some revenue, he doesn't work alone, since our time at Corfu we’ve had to face the truth, love only makes one drool, we won't beat our bones, but i'm telling you, men bring us little soul, least of all Billy Blue.

Oakley

As if to anticipate me, the breeze soothes the Limes, rustles Cypress trees, on hills beyond the Cliffs, a curious somnolent light, lights the valley's rift, by a wine dark sea, am surprised in my fright, supposedly young and free, a whisper forget his lips, songs of love and sighs, soothe my stumbled shift, stunted by his apostrophe’s, our futures on the tide, he doesn't go for easy, the music's echo shivers, his one long cry, while the night withers, drink more green tea, watch the geese rise, horizons all before me, it's such a short time.

Nora

Do you spare a thought, about our separation , interogate me at the door, think it’s easy for me, avoiding drink's temptation, his chin cast to the sea, full of trial and remorse, his protesting eyes dilate, dance as if been caught, in a moment I'll feel, he's emptying the plate, high winds blow severely, his wretched mother’s thorn, she would not hesitate, to drag him upto Court, let the tongues wag viciously, she spreads unleavened hate, her beady flow of history, bottles his escape.

Molly

Talk like that she hisses, you always make a fuss, get us both locked up, powdered lightly she groans, shadows of light catch dust, fragrance in ueasy forms, others seek discernment, she does what she must, days of pure insistence, betrayed by every soul, we don’t ask for much, just some missing tones, my sharp eyed old sister, what have you done, that it's come to this, Our Da who fled THE home, left without a crust, could not bear the shame, love's long distance.

Lisa

You used to write then, of smoky bars and winters, thrilla and all the rest, terrible streets of stones, trawled over wet kisses, men who're on their bones, but made you their friend, do you want me in splinters, to go over that again, the little lines of loans, dollars dimes dodgy business, houses trying to be a home, nothing else yat happens, sunken sunlight by the river, your missed far off kin, it only helps to know, dreams of those who listen, don our coats and boots, polish them to glisten.

Kathy

Absolved free of scorn, she wrapped me in, she passes from our home, uncertainty now arrested, her letters binned, my tears go uncontested, believe me a scar is born, by making false decisions, wronged womem her new dawn, delivery, testimony manifest, I cried begfore her whip. always knew what’s best, tells me in words too short, rattle of wind on sill, will rid my bad thoughts, my Ma forever shrill.

Jade

Smiles at seats well used, the kids who drink wine, why she loves the Dunes a twisted smile between, wooden decks that blind, picket fence blue evening, seed and creep of moon, regular as the lemon night, lets her know what's loose, men who want a scene, to liven up their lives, don't soften any dreams, loves them without a room, the goal escapes each time, a way to find the jewel, why make life more empty, the've committed no crime, laughs at her uncertainty, says she's enlightened.

Isla

Give me one last kiss, says my ex happening, eyes raised nothing amiss, nowhere between us and sea, a kindly breeze circling, shall i make some coffee, her eyes full of mist, gone beyond her crying, nails painted and clipped, the colour of love's infancy, a great light entwining, the rivers of uncertainty, a blazing sun insists, remove all guise of binding, she looks at passing ships, places that bear no scrutiny, a small step to lying , about her being happy, without my kindings.

Hadley

Who wants to be free, my lover asks the sky, my heart hits a key, what's between her and sun, a breeze on the tide, she says we’re not done, my once bright integrity, bends awkward out of shy, hampered by neccesity, the wall of her perfume, makes me want to cry, am I so out of tune, light has its own intensity, leaves no room for sighs, could I just say leave, she'll weep by the ruins, places run out of time, who can speak the truth, everything must die ?

Gracie

Smoking a cigarette, he exhales, says he'll love me yet, stuck here on my mind, a lover's face impaled, within unforgiving light, can anyone suggest, the way he's framed, haunted, proud, in jest, I no longer ask why, he visits me this way, in places safe to lie, safer still to rest, treat this guy like jail, try to hide the bet, let him beat his time a woman beyond the pale, I'll dance to his flames, but will never forget, that uncertain terrain, seek once more the crests, love find me again.

Frances

She notes a distant ground, the hall’s public telephone, a ball of wool when found, she won't dine or sing, luminous but not alone, strapped to this old thing, her elegant fleece of Down, like the Book she holds, keeps feet on the ground, what better cure for anything, than watch the sea blue soak, beyond her hundred kin, her drink is whiskey sour, lavender linen eau de cologne, she whispers out her love, her face is shining pink, she can see them all, see them rise and think, what Nana has foretold ?

Emily

You tear at my parts, am a fool you say, have you no heart, he says fly to my web, holds my face, it's all in your head, the first one to start, he don't have to stay, instead of carrying on, my esteem's in shreds, he's poised but waits, tries to distance himself, when you go spinning off, I'm firm but straight, who needs hit the bottle, the psychiatrist said, this emotion’s blackmail, face him down instead, he'll hesitate.

Dylan

Who forgets generous acts, standing by an unlit lamp, noting absent facts, watching slower ships, those who always last, hanging on my grip, measured by horizons, does my lover's laugh, need a new dimension, a tree, a bridge, a shift, to liven up our span, spend our money in drips, he's jobless on his back, throw salt at our list, we'll get life on track, stamp our own good plan, don't let us sag, beam a light to distance, spirits to our dance.

Carly

When he talks seaports, when you see dark rooms, understand what’s bought, coming home he says, please unlace my boots, give me time to pray, smile in a mirror’s comfort, wait for the dismal hoot, try standing in support, bridge the scrubby terrain, forget his bad cahoots, light candles in his name, bless his lonely consorts, who suffer him like you, shush all tawdry remorse, don’t walk away, always find the solace, burn this time in flame, life is your oasis.

Bella

Will you suspend, a lifetime of gain, eking out a stipend, why not pursue that gift, down interesting lanes, going beyond your shift, follow towards that end, all fires give way, you only have to bend, washed by the cliffs, sheltered from the rain, no one lives by bits, chained to their fences, mistakes lovers make, to slumber in torrents, please just listen, each one has their say, let your eyes glisten, try catching the day.

Annie Patricia

Do I keep or burn, love I thought would last, a flame that still yearns, I could demand anything, now all he sees a trap, what does that mean, it doesn't seem fair, not enough to map, why I'm being compared, he’s gone and it rains, songs of our collapse, freight of lonely trains, if you hear my words, they are not just crap, hanging in salty air, all I did was bring, stuff to make him laugh, must count for something, even if it's passed ?

Zara

Who forgets generous acts, standing by an unlit lamp, trying to make fire, watching distabt ships, those who help always last, measured by my dry lips, my husband always laughs, who forgot the candles, to lift our little fast, send us money not tips, we’re jobless on the tramp, throw salt at our fits, bless our sacrosancts, stamp the Catholic stamp, do not let us sag, help us to get lost, spit saliva on our plans, for you the baptised hosts, give what you can.