Paul

Why live in a haze, fight battles with the wind, battered like cellophane, best not to moan, burn or skim, life is only a loan, when you buck the rain, scour the land, for that perfect bargain, in your worn-out clothes, pick up your drums, you're not on your bones, make a step change, blow ten grand, find love instead of trade, if someone groans, you don't understand, get out of that zone, chained to your days, let your dreams expand, in uncertain ways, be a legend.

Esme Three

My good parts, I firmly state, are for your heart, I look at the moon, a spring tide today, everything’s too soon, my eyes dart, wouldn't it be great, to make a new start, go and live in Vera Cruz, I’m poised but wait, don't need more bad news, a psychiatrist debarred, says emotion's only a name, I'll sell the car, we’ll take another route, I smile and hesitate, kiss before the curfew, you tear me apart, I'm a fool you say, you're not so smart, hold my face.

Esme Two

Make offers to a Diety, no need for grace, that greets my swollen feet, strained in my moans, I wonder about this place, heart against bone, there is a churning pity, blown here by the rain, it doesn’t do solitary, alone in its grotto, I wonder what to say, or how to atone, for all my history, given this day, what price is offertory, these café’ jokes kill me, the useless games, become part of my inventory, I don't plan to deceive, put ribbons around a cage, but want to believe, sunshine fills my face.

Esme

Tunes jingle and ping, my insides screech, I need another drink, between home and missing you, help me to say, what I need to do, your face tear sprinkled, lemon blue by the sea, turns into my shrink, I’ll kill the truth, with my own conceit, a conscience in ruins, let others think, so eager to squeeze, memories, a sous chef king, they echo my blues, a coward's retreat, no dreams to rue, but if there's a chink, of light scattered easy, I’ll be off in a blink, when released.

Francine Three

Brilliant stones, whisper your name, waters groan, in trouble you need, solace each day, you'll soon feel, you are never alone, we'll dance a reel, best not to moan, a fisherman protects his creel, don't let panic reign, in Calendars of the sea, take Calcium for your bones, in this place stay sane, no one really atones, the bird who drops seed, says it’s only fame, sing as you speed, drunk as a fiery contralto, weave amongst flames, is this all you own, dissolve give way.

Francine Two

She laughs and hums a tune, says it’s stupid to lie, it’s just what we do, we skirt around the garden, she gives another sigh, children are late home, more like a whispered ooh, her failing sight, fills the afternoon, the same dull hollow, a broken light, whispers up from below, don’t ask me why, she faces ruin, it makes me cry, she’s not one for show, says she’ll go out high, pretend she’s in New York, make her voice boom, rage over the night, men say that they knew, she wanted to fly.

Francine

Times that brought her, a yellow light of feasting, she dreams of autumn, let others condone, that passing disease, of a broken home, more than any daughter, she'll do what's needed, forging her laughter, a shiny stone, she stands by the sea, swears she'll never atone, love seeps on the bend, it reaches her knees, like broken water, for matters gone, she knows what she’s leaving, some hoped for dawn, fixated or in prayer, she cries when released, wonders if anyone cares, s it isn't that easy.