Avery

The house is in ruins, clouds billow out the sky, who will bring us truth, we all die intestate, however lawyers lie, it’s better than commensurate, even God is not immune, when money's put aside, but he won't be duped, coal burns in the grate, he sees how they cry, crabbed fingers on paper plates. it isn't me you fool, putting gold in their tide, seeking out lost tunes, am not yet a wooden crate, their poisoned eyes alight, debts have come too late, summons our different hues, while we laugh and cry, bring all my lovers too, tell them resign.

Zuri

Do you remember the sea, the swell and the spray, our dance of summer holidays, now the kids have flown, gone away, making their own homes, we drop to the beach, at the end of the quay, all our loving of Thebes, oh yes there's also gloom, suddenly drained, wonder where time has gone, laughing you grab my feet, guide me where we lay, my troubles cease, I'm a windblown soul, we rest in the lee, embrace secrets of the old, horizons like these.

Yana

you have such giving ways, bring me Champagne, on my birthday, what can we do alone, without any sense of shame, lead lives all our own, wine pours down my face, like being Christened again, you fire me my Angel, why be here or gone, without a glass to drain, laughing at unknowns, choose to live not waste, our souball coloured spray, get called upon to praise, when we swim along in rhythm with the waves, those trips filled with song, so easy to celebrate.

Xitlali.

The year Duke passed away, i couldn't get past the blues, was shrunken day by day, i hated to be alone, to hear anything new, on the street or Metro, but you became an angel, i didn't have a clue, you acted as my sage, arranged all the loans, gave me back a muse, put jelly on my bones, before this game, i'd imposed a curfew, you paid wages, when I began to play, you listened to the tune, taught me to re- arrange, got me through.

Willa

Babies drive me crazy, I accept their stern cheer, reminds me of the cradle, break a house of stones, an avenues of tears, walking wear different clothes, my love is beyond trade, handled without fear, a good girl these days, long journey's to the coast, nothing is too dear, except the way I flow, kids're never a game, let's make it clear, every nightmare comes with flames, I don't need a sideshow, to combat the fear, it's part of whats given, these turbulent years.

Valerie

Draw shadows against the boats, selight in falling rain, it shocks me I'm broke, should be no news really, echoes of a bursting suitcase, ends another holiday, St Anthony’s quay has shown, loss carries no certainty, when you need a loan, mist across the inland sea, buses groan at the station, they thrum a sad soliloquy. I hate to beg and moan, now we're just company, but can't we just carry on, If we mark the peace, with shades of new territory, we can get some release, beyond the cafe's.

Uma

I paint like Marcel Duchamp, and walk with weary gait, feel my socks they're damp, bring cognac to my table, steaming dishes by measured pace, fated my broken frame, am no picture to look upon, swaying like a crane, just want my work shown, on winter's days, unshaven waiters in cafes, often see me faint, men before me are calm, with buttered hair in strains, say c'mon c'mon, is love just a game, canvas is the stuff I crave, museums wear a lonely face, will they hang my name ?