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 nightfall, command, water, and spur.

If you would like to participate in the next special poetry assignment, the new words are question, circle, abandon, and electric.

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

Nightfall
 
Then the command: hide and seek.
Voices, running feet.
 
Kathleen Kirk

 

Porphyria
 
By silent,
unseen command,
blood dropped
onto her blouse.
 
David Mathews

 

Going to the Rain
 
Tomorrow
we will find warmth
somewhere else
 
Mihir Vatsa

 

Hitting Slump
 
Nightfall is just as hard. Under towers of lights
I'm still a chimp swinging a stick.
 
Bob Bradshaw

 

Without You
 
Too much joy is hard to take
while this spur in my side is a barbed reminder.
 
Barbara De Franceschi

 

The Sparrow's Funeral
 
I ran into the house and lay
sobbing, as if making a fuss might spur
the sparrow back to life.
 
Jennifer Finstrom