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 dream, check, join, and free.

If you would like to participate in the next special poetry assignment, the new words are wonder, gold, fire, and nail.

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

Streetwise COVID Style
 
Louise, divorced and angry,
Likes meeting men who, wisely,
Love her taste and savvy thrift
 
Martha Patterson

 

Yellow Today
 
Not caring, I twirl with the wind,
not the mist, with a piece of fresh
tang on my wet lips.
 
Karla Myn Khine

 

The Swimming Pool Dried Up Last Night
 
I'm staring down
the head of an MG42—
but it's a dream
so it's okay
 
Jenifer Joseph

 

The Dance of Our Skin
 
Through these movements you feel,
gather trust,
and prepare for your moment to arrive.
 
Ashley Reynolds

 

Closer
 
this is where I want to be
join a small community
and sing against the tide
 
Ursula Troche

 

Backspin
 
a ball with awkward expression took flight,
free in the sky with a hysteria of sixteenth notes
 
Sara Dallmayr

 

Cycles
 
You don't like feeling so intact, feeling
your pulse check your collarbone.
 
Leela Srinivasan

 

Talking to My Toupee
 
you are my last hope.
If nothing else, I can use you
to mop up any wine
 
Bob Bradshaw

 

I Confide in a Headless Mannequin about My Divorce
 
Her skin's fabric is slightly grey
and seems almost to sweat, and I check for mildew
once I have her home
 
Jennifer Finstrom

 

Cutting a Finger at the Hardware Store
 
blood drips into beads where granular
sawdust doesn't soak it into putty,
drops are leeched by thirsty fresh cut timber,
the rest I tuck inside a wrinkled hem
 
Evan Martin Richards