Emma

A painter of religious scenes, she dabs around a glaze, a thirty-year-old dream, regards the work she’s honed, abandoned to this game, it’s never set in stone, yellow days of sunbeams, she always feels the same, images not what they mean, the canvas lets her roam, a stretch on wooden nails, in many ways she's gone, a matchstick in the sea, bobbing without a name, floating for eternity, work is hard to own, laughs come day to day, in this ocean town, her head cries for relief, sunken eyes go missing, her mind is never easy, she nails another frame.

Gerard

Before my fame, I only thought of you, and the games we played, shadows pass in smoke, set against this bitter truth, I'm broke, you threw away, my successful poems, in that different age, at this ruin alone, can't see in the gloom, the café’ that’s gone, I fell off the stage, I should have blossomed, made everyone happy, now sing a simple Solo, a lonely man soothed, on his way home, to begin again, poets will see me through, going down the Freeway, I'll think of you.

Jack

They know what I mean, how I roam, face down every deal, cool but burn with rage, when I try to atone, she always closes the gate, says it’s not her scene, when my nerves are blown, asks where I've been, useless to prevaricate, what is on the bone, always seems too late, never listens to me , bringing garage flowers home, my side of testimony, I’ll wave goodbye to hate, call if the kids need clothes, her turn now to wait, I wonder how it seems, when she hears me phone, will she stand the heat, now I’ve gone?

Jerry

Before my fame, I only thought of you, and the games we played, shadows pass in smoke, set against the bitter truth, I'm broke, you threw away, my successful tunes, in that different age, at this ruin alone, imagine in the gloom, the palace that is gone, I fell off the stage, I should have blossomed, made everyone happy, now I sing a simple Solo, lonely man soothed, on their way home, to begin again, songs will see me through, beating down the Freeway, I’ll be true.

Maria

I can sometimes squeeze, from each breath taken, a moment that's easy, that makes me swoon, face washed happy, in hospital rooms, outside is a magnolia tree, cars mark the way, sunlight hangs on trees, they’re playing my tune, forget about holidays, the surf goes boom, passion feeds my frenzy, my bed is a creel, below me’s the sea, dance on golden avenues, the lake at Geneve, I’ll bear my good news, the house timbers creak, I even kneel to pray, sometimes turn to speak, love is what stays.

Leanne

Her manner always myriad, many a life she’s thrown, unlike mine let it be said, never violent like the sea, a scientist bright she knows, the solace of dreams, never in danger losing cred, creates but doesn’t own, always says more is less, she won’t leave this café, and cannot pray for calm, but will tend her keys, with lipstick instead, her skin golden brown, she lights someone’s bed, a loving need, for some lucky scrap, brings a sense of ease, gives us our daily bread, makes it warm as toast, she who lightly treads, so heavy on our soul.

James

You ask how I cope, If you could only help, to take me back home, why make me suffer, I know my own ends, no need for your butter, stay out of my zone, I know you mean well, but I’m better alone, the words that you utter, don't come from a pen, or make my thoughts falter, measure my chrome, put me in a spell, leave me wide open, I start to stutter, on bars made of leather, I loved my mother, I’m not just a dope, neither am I tethered, I laugh at your rope, save it for your friends.