Matty

Now and then she’s right, am I just skimming, froth glitters on this pint, like the river off Burbo Bank, shining, arrowing, twisting, me a dark room crank, she loves the sunlight, knows her own following, if someone make her cry, lungs open like a tank, she knows how to fight, when everything turns black, next to me like a bride, her eyes moist and filling, she’ll give a loving sigh, tobacco blonde dank, her whole life is swimming, she’ll make out I’m slack, dance in the tide, her fame is just beginning, her smile like a knife, fresh, alive, skinning.

The First Chef

Will you be the same, a smile beneath the trees, each time we separate, the dollars and the dimes, bars stacked like wheat, we sit drinking wine, now it's a morning shame, not just my feet, that walk this tired frame, No I'm not fine, come back to me, don't ask me why, what does it take, a dawn novena, to have you back again, spiky as a porcupine, your body a litany, now is the time, why can’t you remain, where the sun rises even, cars fill up their lanes, and I hear you singing.

Malena

You who own the night, the wind hushed sand dunes, do you wonder why, I keep a cheerful romeo, beat away the blues, always on the go, forget the bitter times, all the brute untruths, the thought of infant’s sighs, dreams of flying solo, always glad to see you, since last time you phoned, the air plashes by, the evening's getting cool, some wait all their lives, others touch the stones, let them set the spume, what they had before, men whistle passing by, I laugh and hum a tune, say it's stupid to lie, my heart’s an open room.

Monica

Love holds the door ajar, my hair falls down unkind, nowhere gets me very far, I sit on a high stool, drink a little wine, God knows I need a few, you ask about my Da, Oh he’s fine, stuck as usual on the Bar, the money he blew, in a poor easy light, just to please some other fool, cruising in her fast car, he rocks around her lies, no wonder I’m scarred, there’s nothing cool, about the hurt inside, except that other part of you, viewed from afar, that sees each morning rise, like the northern star, knowing it’s my time.

Kevin

He reads and hums a tune, says its stupid to lie, he’ll enjoy this view, like a dog far from home, he doesn’t want a fight, just let him be alone, the elephant in the room, trumps another sigh, the grandkids make him blue, always late coming home, their ask’s a constant why, he worries where they roam, if they blow the juice, he’s sick of denying, what’s left to all of us, guilty people do atone, but this same snuffled exercise, like any runny nose, speaks some truth, her bum supplicates the light, what else is he to do, take up flying?

Jenny

I won’t say no , or ask you to sign, brush away those bitter tones, I know what’s at issue, when you burn like fire, set dreams loose, chances are I’ll follow, a chef dancing on a tyre, nowhere I won't go, you play the fool, echo what is right, pull out a tune, others dance fandango's, in morning’s cold light, rooms without windows, places smoky blue, where you can lose sight, of what is before you, please let me know, if I’m on your mind, riding high on the blow, checking out the time.

Corys

Who needs a shrink, when a lover somehow, always wants a drink, one day he might stroll, down this road like a clown, other times rotten lie low, I know what they think, he’ll always miss the furrow, his head down a sink, a display all his own, show them what he’s sown, outrage now he’s gone, I shudder at the stitch, a whole investment blown, work and strain and stink, who will want me now, face like an ice rink, heavy as jeans I’ve sewed, politics dull pink, sweat shines on my brow, ride away don’t blink, Chagall’s in the saddle.