Rita

On long days says a blessing, for the drinkers and vagrants, all those others gone missing, a mind awash with waves, she rushes to this oasis, ignoring tourist games, on the island there's a mission, behind where cruise ships lay, she makes it her monument , she hears the wails, sees beach people like wraiths, dance by sun and caves , belayed by sons with issues, they are not to blame, she skirts around the kissing, makes an unlit foray, feels the convent's sweet gaze, its scented loving faith, touches ancient flame.

Rabiah

Please don’t let them see, why you ring my feet, I only asked for freedom, your consoling love, village soul and shady tree, here in this crowded boat, I sing of the sea, a bitter chant of make believe, in your eyes is destiny, they have courted blood, this swarm of human seed, given only what we could, the terrible wounds of territory, Lesbos and a moonlit scree, broken what we can't retrieve, these ships bear our crud, hands with sullen greeting shout, 'let's make our push,'we bow again to history.

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.