William

Who knows if she's right, even when she's skimming, water, sky, sunlight, like the river off the banks, her smile arrives winning, where my lonely heart shrank, she never leaves a family’s side, but knows others will follow, did someone make her cry, her lungs are like a tank, she understands my limits, laughs at the pale shanks, next to me like a bride, her lips twist for filleting, why constant why, tobacco blonde full of lies, a lover who goes swimming, many a moonlit night, she dances in the tide, her fame is just beginning, nails me with that smile, fresh, alive, winning.

Vienna

The sun rises in steam, cars fill up their lanes, this won't wait 'till evening, beyond me the morning sky, still needs to frame, all that I carry inside, a rush down the freeway, coffee tastes the same, I need a good reason, so I wait in line, it matters what you say, not go off this time, my dawn novena, perches like a hurricane, bones anchored by heat, I know what’s not fine, in between times pray, ask for fake red wine, bars bring a sweetness, do I have to say again, it’s not my swollen feet, that carry your name.

Usha

Don't turn away silent, we’ll go home again, maybe in a better time, do what we can for now, it won’t bring us shame, rivers flow on their own, laugh in warmer climes, no one here’s to blame, part of me is dying, beyond this war zone, the shifting hand of fame, will let us set moving, return us on the tide, all you need to say, keep wrapped up inside, if promises get broken, and spirits dance in flames, bring me little tokens, please just laugh the same.

Tamara

Who can ever say, we’ll toast our bones, when we're back to stay, if the picture's not bright, we can cry but won’t, sometimes home’s not kind, thoughts that are sprayed, where we come from, are not often on display, like this harvest light, with hardly a sound, there is no gentle sky, maybe we'll take a train, like a winter's stove, warms us to dream, a horizon blind, we’ll navigate alone, seeking what’s right, happy on our ground.

Rosa

Love holds the door ajar, my hair gleams and shines, I haven’t travelled very far, no need to suffer fools, watch trees form into line, listen to their news, they talk about my Da, say he lives for wine, lonely as a shooting star, the money he spooled, Ma’s inheritance by right, scattered on women, drink, Pool, he needs another car, to give our mother rides, no room here for scars, play by the rules, forget the hurt inside, it’s another part of you, in the red dawn rise.

Queen

My mind is unfazed, sheltered from the wind, clear as cellophane, best not to moan, burn or rescind, know we’re just loaned, jump the right trains, roll over the land, luck always finds me, in worn-out clothes, I’ll enjoy the trip, not yet on the bones, make a step change, write a thousand lists, find a lover to trade, when someone moans, steer clear of his lips, move out of that zone, unchained to these days, my heart leaps and skips, says isn’t life great, wears a huge grin.

Petunia

Go on then be silent, you're only skin and bone, who am I to license, censor what you say, the only song I own, sung on this sunlit highway, a taste that asks why, penetrates my soul, I float along lighter, are you one to state, the only pain is home, look at my face, this shell of my silence, has no need to groan, strung out on quietness, sing as you pray, don’t try to console, no one makes your day, calls upon you to brighten, all you don't know, what makes me frightened, is ending up alone.