Twenty Five

Like my ship on the sea, i swear to the night, just let me reach the quays, a shoal of lost hordes, all in flight, float from the ocean floor, thank you Jesus, between moon and sky, will you let me see, from the earth's back door, the rich man's eyes, at sight of the poor, who suffer by the reeds, their souls strung tight, they'll set me free, in my eyes the shore, need to do what's right, splash the Cologne, please rock me gently, say everything's fine, don't worry baby, I'm not trying to hide.

Twenty Four

In the Spring twilight, you see the poor, huddled by the security line, it's cold for the season, sons and daughters, share the same freedom, on the river a Neap tide, brings a truth sought, you don't need an inquiry, to shiver in the lee, city lights over the port, sick of being, or worry about time, if you've been caught, in some policy drive, it's just the reason, to head for the slaughter, like a guilty plea, every walk of life, ends here with nought, some bring their wives, they crowd the back door.

Twenty Three

A cross for a glove, to where we drink wine, she gives us a shove, a deal done at Primark, the waste is a crime, life is too stark, she looks up above, lost in her time, the year she goes bust, her hair is a jump start, she hasn't a dime, who'll lend her a car, she steers my old tub, initially fine, the cops take a look, it's never easy or calm, locked to her highs, my home's not far, she sings a blues number, among shop front signs, life's more than a crust, with her by my side.

Twenty Two

She has some spark, her lovely face lights, won't wait in the yard, she hankers for love, the rest of the night, why worry what's above, in a supermarket park, they ask her why, she hangs around the bars, we all need a crust, a trolley suits her fine, forget about doubles, she never walks far, to walk is a crime, each step there's a car, and works without gloves, unlike other times, Okay when it's good, if there's ever a chart, to show us what's right, lets us give marks, then I'm first in line.

Twenty One

I stand by her grave, where praise be, i hope to be saved, her eyes like thunder, wine dark on the sea, they make me shudder, in the blue Nave, stripped like the trees, nothing's left to trade, between here and surrender, the old amber need, doesn't stay to linger, my voice starts to break, it's late for the season, geese honk on their way, her face is the wonder, happy laughing clean, that i tore asunder, it's quiet by this place, fifty years of need, for my allotted space, she makes for me.

Twenty

Me Ma stamps the tar, it's not good news, second husband runs the car, a trip to the park, peel oranges in a barn, love never hungers, won't let him cross the arc, he's bemused, right from the off, she's a stone heart, my son says he knew, it's only the start, Da's not gone far, lipstick, a shirt he uses, Ma says with his tart, she smokes a Lucky Star, smelling the perfume, he's falling apart, I still hear him cough, splutter like a fool, hope is a distant mark, from this latent brew.

Nineteen

Is it love of rain, or a burning pyre, that you're against, you sit in the gloom, listening to the criers, no one jumps the queque, seeing problems look away, they pester you for hire, it's never easy or brave, to do what you do, your eyes seek the tide, they were never blue, an offering to the saved, like an ice cold fish wire, is this what you gave, whispering at someone's due, here's my coat to lie in, my song is true, not defined by trains, nor tongues of a liar, the miracle I crave, my life on fire.