Patsy

Since you've been away, I don't know what to do, but each night pray, break my maddened stone, just do it will you, no one’s still at home, keep the time of day, cold skyline makes it true, nothing more to say, you always need to smoke, somehow play the fool, laugh like someone gone, the walls have turned grey, whisky is not my ruin, you've eaten all the cake, confined within this zone, there’s little more to do, gilded like an only one, we sing the joy of praise, see the creep of moon, will you come back again, take me as your due.

Orla

They say up your game, you lazy sycophants, less suffer what remains, listening to the old songs, who would ever lance, such need to belong, watching the trains, snake down a naked gap, sails in the bay, swells of crowded bars, cargo ships and shining paths, rooms with dark marks, red lips white-faced, we start again to dance, willing our tunes to play, better to rumble along, echoing holy chants, say we’re not wrong, before night's out today, we'll polish unlit lamps, take what comes our way, maintain our balance.

Nancy

She's light across tears, shares jokes in the dust, then disappears, we knew her from jail, a speaker for the just, love never fails, what brought her here, in the lilac dusk, no one's very clear, ice blue on the rails, travels till she's bust, she's tough as nails, no one can get near, a flame that never shuts, they know what to fear, cast aside parrot phrases, perfume echoes the dusk. her eyes ablaze, she haunts me like the deer, I did what I could, smiling she appears, a face misunderstood.

Maria

Aked to ferment desire, in a place without windows, trees surrounded by wire, I descend by mountain mule, to warm my toes, used to playing it cool, a young woman without child, love free to bestow, it's been a while, his cabin is smoky blue, my smiles won’t allow, what our ancestors refused, logs blaze a midnight choir, more to life than show, they're hard roads to fire, I trace his arms for sinews, chance to get to know; my own rinse of perfume, it’s in his dancing eyes, do I hurt him with NO, maybe bring in line, more to joy than sorrow.

Lucy

Once I thought I knew, how life's so short, what can beat the Blues, in this winter night, when the kids don’t phone, the fire gives no respite, no books or other dues, traces where they go, on trails so well used, who knows if they're right, those who you fought, others who asked for hire, you were never so cool, helped the ones you taught, belong to other schools, if there’s ever a time, to parade passing thoughts, let them shed light, forget all the doo doo, don't have me postpose, happiness hung on balloons, blown far from home

Karen

Why pay a heavy score, my almond eyes ruined, show you love is raw, can you see my bones, feel like a heavy boom, attached to useless love, life is not so poor, when you have a shoe in, escape broken laws, say you're leaving home, want somewhere safe to room, until my fumings done, don't divine me by whores, forget the stuff you do, I scream it’s because, I'll block your phone, why live out of tune, shout go on get lost, break holy orders, drain summer out the moon, I can't bear your snores, with me anytime soon.

Journee

I'm facing terrible shame, no star could refute, betrayed by outrageous fame, you might wonder why, they speak of godly virtue, those who know their rights, this is no mug's game, the TV blares fake news, it squashes everything, I tell terrible lies, fashion my golden hoops, beats any crass disguise, sunshine shows the way, what is there to rue, hit them while they faint, only fools really try, I am only like you, tired of such butterflies, better shed the blame, put it down to doom, drink easy just the same, eyes glazed as fish glue.