Jack

You take off your gloves, in your own time, say you're no longer in love, do you remember the tune, that forgives broken lives, it still beats true, there’s not much cover, if you touch that line, don't reach it in blood, no one will hate you, when the bell chimes, fix up the bed room, give to those who scrub, lead a generous life, stay away from crackpots, like you never knew, the mysteries of wine, hear your heart go boom, listen to what's above, shudder without a Dime, fly like a released dove, when it feels right.

Liam

We claim and duly swear, first to hit the spot, is the one who gets them in, no drama or lucky stars, boring debts and mounting cost, you just buy a jar, the sun’s bright under glare, the sidewalk lit with dots, no one hides out here, for anyone who makes their mark, another folds the cards, there are no easy starts, lemon trees laid bare, rusty nails our lot, we always have to share, face danger near or far, before any cop, fairy queen or jack tar, bones stripped bare, on streets sweaty and hot, we’ll defend our turf, what we haven’t got.

Jo

On a bed that creaks, I listen to the rain, and turn somehow to speak, this is not my tune, I say, but my words aren’t new, the walls are washed green, a moon prevaricates, it knows where I've been, Paris and sunlit avenues, are not just a keepsake, but places I well knew, wrapped in a cotton sheet, I pull a long face, it reaches to my knees, outside is a Magnolia bloom, this bunk’s like a cradle, you can smell the Ocean, it’s a joy to squeeze, love from many lives taken, a manner so to speak, the times I’m great.

Paul

Don't sing me your Blues, stammer on the wire, say everyone pays some dues, life isn't a stone, left in the fire, you have to extoll, whoever breaks the news, why you’ve cancelled the choir, brings more singular truths, business is in my bones, it poisons all desires, I’ll always be alone, I’ve read all the books, they don’t really inspire, except stay away from booze, this café is my ruin, but I’ll always aspire, to wear my best shoes, each little bit of me, that everyone requires, gives them no clue, I’m not a liar.

Esme

Are there any good parts, she smiles and says, they're not in your heart, I look at the moon, a spring tide today, everything comes around too soon, cool but my eyes spark, wouldn't it be great, to make a new start, to find something new, I listen but wait, she doesn’t hear my truth, a psychiatrist on a handcart, emotion's just a name, I'll sell the car, sometime soon, she judges, berates, then what’ll you do, kisses me near the bar, you’re a fool she states, I see a bright star, why hesitate ?

Helen

Tunes jingle and you sway, my insides screech, got to make my case, between home and leaving you, help me to say, what I need to do, my tear-streaked face, lemon blue by TV, shows how fate, kills the truth, is it our own conceit, we jump so many hoops, others come here too late, eager to squeeze, love from this pooped party, they re- echo old news, of a coward's deceit, how I put on dancing shoes, is there a way, you can set me free, wipe clean the slate, succour my release ?

Madeleine

She laughs and hums a tune, says its stupid to lie, she’ll leave that to me, like a dog far from home, she doesn’t want a fight, just leave her alone, the elephant in the room, trumps another sigh, the children make her blue, always late coming home, their ask’s a constant why, she worries when they roam, if they blow the juice, she’s sick of denying, what is left to rue, guilty people do atone, but this snuffled exercise, a constant runny nose, she says because of you, hands supplicate the sky, what else is she to do, take up flying?