Katerina

My time goes by unspoken, not drunk enough to cry, afraid of what gets broken, being skint in lousy clothes, hangs me out to dry, the bars all closed, beyond the grave’s a token, what we can’t deny, outside of pavement soaking, we’re shrunk now in repose, horizons clouded why, what we love foremost, even if we drink and smoke, sing a song then die, we’ll praise the holy ghost, this summer shows, we really tried, to resist all the blows, ride out on the tide.

Janine

She makes a dawn novena, and worries about her hips, if God will see her, each night is a feast, every tune loosens her lips, moves like a chocolate treat, in any wooden season, the bars are full of drips, passed the age of reason, men won’t let her sleep, she gives them all the slip, says she’s resting this evening, barefoot makes a secret plea, let her have some kids, better than not believing, if she had a crayon, to draw a time this is, she’d make a haven lantern, to light a path to bliss.

Idullia

The pavement wears a sheen, do you feel love, down by the Adelphi, cars fill up their lanes, how you keep strong, I call out your name, my 'phone has no screen, it does make you wonder, if there's any need, about tales danced in flame, when you once hugged, me like an arriving freighter, absent from the sea, with stars late in coming, can you still believe, I’m here again, a pulse that still features, on your radar, this fine green evening

Henrietta

Can you love me, like your runaway horse, the way it used to be, look around you I whisper, you've ridden away before, do you think I’m a temptress, I live near the sea, without sorrow or remorse, no keening to be happy, your kingdom’s a lost address, where you think you're home, forget it, nothing brings such certainty, I am not your whore, a thousand nights of gluttony, won’t gather my caresses, someone deserves them more, I can pass any test, hope dream carry on.

Fara

You joke like all of us, the desert doesn't scare you, your water jug is porous, we go to meet the writers, my partner’s late to bloom, dons her silk and linens, the almond trees join chorus, after rain exudes, smells of jasmine and sea, poets fly here like kites, colours of yellow and blue, say they are enlightened, you consult your catechus, rage at literature they chew, who needs a performance, if they want to delight, let them search for food, your pale smile frightens, it denounces all the room.

Gina

Your eyes dance like fireflies, you are no one's fool, they cascade like satyrs, beating a tune, on Sundays you’re cool, won’t hurt you the blues, sunlight burns the tyres, you’re twenty eight and true, can’t stand deniers, this side of the moon, there’s nothing to rue, no one’s out to get you, neither poor nor righteous, preachers or crooks, love’s such a dynamite, your ship sails on fire, it’s the way you cook, your family's desire, to find some fresh virtue.

Elena

Your blown kisses, reach my maritime coast, a light from Cape Mission, across the weather zones, they dance on water, turn it blue with love, nothing like their lilt, so light they float, across our continental drift, they help us know, what stands foremost, and what is only loaned, on a wind lashed cliff, looking down at fishing boats, I touch your lips, sometimes the most cynical, hug their bones, even those most critical give thanks to God