In an ongoing series, the editors, former contributors, and readers of Eclectica have been invited to write a poem containing four pre-chosen words. The words for this issue are lure, prayer, vinyl, and exit. Below are the resulting selected poems.

If you would like to participate in the next special poetry assignment, the new words are feather, collection, widow, and maple.

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(These are excerpts—click on the title to view the whole poem)

 

Two Word Poems
 
Like a thief, I take jade earrings from a drawer,
the yellow vase I hated, a photo of the black dog.
 
Antonia Clark

 

Three Word Poems
 
The last time she gave birth
she saw exit signs in the delivery room,
but no one would allow her to leave the table.
 
Jayne Pupek

 

Drying the Neighbor's Dog
 
Clouds sag over rooftops like unmilked
breasts of wet nurses.
 
Arlene Ang

 

Two Word Poems
 
The hag-ridden and the free spirits,
the lure of a somewhere else
is what draws them.
 
Ray Templeton

 

First Summer
 
child-philosophers: what is fire
—liquid? solid? gas?
 
Sarah Yost

 

Blades
 
with a Judas kiss
I recall the sacrifice
 
Barbara De Franceschi

 

Fresh Christmas Trees
 
They do not truly live,
though they might be said to linger.
 
Jennifer Finstrom