Raymonde

Before you turned to me, carried me on your flight, I knew how to be free, who asked for that load, love you thought was right, the fire in my bones, ships famed for their speed, cram more sails at night, you were my every need, a sunlit garden in Cologne, the power beyond my sight, you left me dancing alone, these days I weep inside, whole cities hear me cry, knowing a song’s denied, removed from our island home, spare me your legitimacy, I walk a strong road, the siren is my smile.

Queca

Across my forearm lover, my skin a chance number, I point to the others, my face a sweet mirror, an astonished wonder, that this could happen, I feel myself crumble, how the world slumbers, at such illicit silver, night winds sting like leather, whip the daily stumble, our days become longer, fighting over what’s gone, fire and distant thunder, the way we have to run, one unwashed sign above us, they make us walk under, some won't make sunset, scattered, broken.

Queenie

If I’m not too late, I’ll see it through, each evening by your gate, down fallen roads, my mother states be true, but she doesn't know, your love traits, our trips to secret venues, the odour of purple grapes, I’m lucky to allow, by church reason and virtue, all you won’t swallow, in this land of hate, make me swoon, trust me to say, I melt by your bones, swept lemon blue, everywhere I’ll follow, in times of this trouble.

Pilar

Can you love me, like a runaway horse, the way it wheels, look at me, I whisper, I’ve heard this tale before, do you think I'll resist, am I going to seed, without sorrow or remorse, betting that you’ll walk free, in this game of trespasses, I'm not your whore, journey of a thousand vespers, I need time to speak, bellow across marble floors, sing at stations and plead, I’m not for the cloister, you know the score, don’t kid me sister, don’t kid me anymore.

Paloma

My time goes by unspoken, afraid of family especially Da, our farm closed and broken, it doesn't take much memory, chime or beat of bell jar, to awaken lost pity, which hand will you hold, inside the smoky station bar, sunrise leaves me cold, you steal away like a refugee, chase some foreign star, I deal with infidelity, the days scatter and unfold, no one seems to care, or hear my silent roar, the crime is seen as comedy, they say to me tu voir, let it go take it easy, we never travel far.

Paula

Does my hardness mock, white faced curl your lips, the sheets we rocked, then hung out to dry, crowded bars, wine to sip, like geese they flap and cry, startled by the river song, a sound of ships, Nana used to pummel, cigarette papers you roll dry, smoky pictures that skip, across a crowded sky, my Ma boiling socks, making bath house trips, while you sit there blocked, are you happy with me, will we live in sin, do they make me lie, eyes adrift.

Patricia

I walk without fear, down lilac evening, mother's words hush dear, wondering what I know, or who I've seen, never bring one to this door, that photographer so clear, who Dada used to tease, the image comes with tears, he's in California now, they lived along our street, their house bought, Protestant souls, he went to buy our father beer, Sunday suit, collar at ease, who said don’t come near, large hands, still calloused, they made him feel uneasy, it wasn’t me he troubled, I loved the magazines.