Xena

What makes a soul atone, for the Cormorants who bared, their cry across water moan, diving towards the river, black scissors out of nowhere, eyes only for silver fins, our Sunday trips are broken, you ask who really cares, remember hard words spoken, how we need to live, why we need to share, the memories of her kiss, who will tend her bones, on tides that flow and turn, wash us with her stories, how beautiful their wings, angels flashing in the air, her laughter in the wind, lower me here.

Willow

Sister what was that time, that cannot be bought, where we got issued fines, we sweated on you lady, outside of court, not just being comradely, in our tears and finery, perish the thought, you forced us to lie, this was no Odyssey, had us break the law, not just any pay day, were you being kind, inserting that clause, to the family support agency, even on holiday, our love was fraught, killed us trying to pray, for justice sought.

Valery

Do you hide your gains, while a lover somewhere waits, closer to the flame, a tremble in your bones, would you close the gate, lock your battered door, like a brigand fights the blade, heavy, scarred, intestate, silver cups your raids, can you name the zones, where your body dissipates, from sail to distant moan, abreast of water are you afraid, the arc of scurried waves, a map has different shades, your love of coin is known, something there to negotiate, even shed a groan, don another cape.

Ursula

Why hurt me with your truth, leave me with your dreams, melt me lemon blue, with your bows and cologne, and easy ballet scenes, would you see me home, against a wall of tunes, dance lightly as a bee, turn me pink as yellow dew, treat me like Shalome, invade all my territory, then just leave alone, your garrotted satin shoes, splay like tambourines, shredding all my tissues, make me wait go on, you’ve someone else to see, we will let you know, talk is cheap.

Sarah

Your song resonates, and still weaves, blue notes on a piano case, artists spin alone, but you sang a treat, the year you let us go, can’t get past that date, how it makes me feel, when you whisper and hesitate, cry for all those fallen, down lonely streets, nowhere else left to go, your fans count the days, for those 'fifties scenes, but time was your adage, the unthought of homes, broken metre and sighs, the years still to come, your face in their lives

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