Raphaela

1993 was a big year for me, but home’s not so easy, there is always another reality, will my dance leave a legacy, gossamer tears of intensity, a furtive wave on a big sea, like my mother in radiotherapy, unhinged by clemency, parades in front of me daily, they said Daddy was no surety, received no leniency, imprisoned when I was thirteen, an intense premier Ballerina, now I exude elegantly, laugh put lipstick on my history, allowed to move freely, at 38 it feels like honesty, to carry on uneasy wings, my current state of liberty.

Pammy

Your son is going home, his Papa waves bye bye, they leave you all alone, birds thrum their tune, you lie in a lemon light, the lover comes back soon, put something on the stove, crickets sing in the half night, salt rims the bowl, a secret toil’s within you, scientists bemoan a global high, your mother plays on tubes, has she ever known, smoking her Camel Lites, a life not chasing numbers, if there’s any virtue, she’s steady as she flies, doesn’t suffer any fools, says this is her time

Ofra

What brings me to this night, keeps away the tears, paints the walls with life, when you can easily feel, dancing so bold and clear, more than a movie reel, regular it denotes our time, sweet lemon notes brought near, songs are our birth right, creep of moon’s a jewel, above stars white and sere, here is something real, the cool evening light, without drama on lonely piers, set our tunes alight, on its rise it reveals, the communal spirit’s here, someone offers you wine, someone says Hello dear.

Lydia

Sometimes we are cradled, when images are taken, memories of him clean shaven, love lights his blue trombone, black and white sepia playing, sunny evenings down the town, when I was a baby, he had this place shaking, jazzy and crazy, the moon’s dancing zone, draws pictures he’s engraving, magnolia, cotton, bones, his long notes and gait, pull at my traces, I give a twisted wave, would you know you Johns, hurrying through the rain, on a corner zebra cold, he was once great.

Marita

Does a husband's family home, need to suffer still, light 30 candles all alone, money given to every vagrant, sees you stumble, fall ill, they smart at your changes, weigh you down with stones, say they’ll shut the till, cut love block your phone, can they note a river’s play, recognise the chill, of someone’s different ways, let them rage and storm, crush all laughter shrill, their screams at something gone, dancers at a Catholic place, work their usual skills, help you to steer away, hope enables will.

Nicola

Remember who plays that tune, take your lovely time, only you know what’s true, those who are always bound. lost in their own designs, sleepwalk to the sound, it’s a face that haunts you, forgives every generous lie, makes the past seem true, you lie awake with clowns, shudder with each fresh wine, knock engagements down, a detective’s roving purview, can’t erase the signs, nails you to golden platitudes, here in this lonely town, it draws in the fire, ties your golden gowns leaves you at the crime .

Louisa

Ignore little bits of you, schemes that make you cry, you have had a few, don't settle for dry land, roll, dance, see someone wise, stay at sea, get out of hand, what philosophers have found true, only the edge is fine, always roll with better news, forget about temazepam, it always gives the lie, despite the calming bound, this side of the blues, seize any time 'as mine', wear a dress for milieu’s, bejewelled exquisite and grand, stand in front and inspire, any sail needs its cram, lead us away from fire.