Sophie

Do we ditch or burn, a love like gas, the flame turned down, crack enough jokes, so your Da won't collapse, somehow he'll recover, you won’t need an urn, now time has passed, he’s over the Meths, in smoky bars and broken homes, his words so crass, they never travel alone, all you did was keep them, to hold you fast, made them dance, now you’re on your own, celebrate the past, care for his bones, look forgive and laugh.

Stella

When you talk coastlines, when you smell rain, who pays the fine, smile in the mirror, wait for a dismal train, stand here and shiver, don't waste my time, nearing home you say, all your words are lies, proud of your honour, a bridge across the plain, you act like a sinner, for our youngest child, who suffers more than pain, behind your terrible why, you ask who delivers, his birth right a highway, light up a Marlborough, shadows cross your face .

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.