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 rabbit, heaven, immune, and brick. Below are the resulting selected poems.

If you would like to participate in the next special poetry assignment, the four new words are mint, binoculars, stereo, and prince. Send your poem(s) to editors@eclectica.org by September 1, 2003.

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(Click on the title to view the whole poem!)

 

Gacela of Consumer Apathy
 
What I know about immunity is taught by the eyes
of sick caged rabbits, moving to heaven
for our vanity. My guilt is heavy as a brick.  
 
J.P. Dancing Bear

 

Lemon Tree
 
Abandoned in an arid landscape,
it leans its elbows on a crumbling
stone cottage, immune to the decay.  
 
Barbara De Franceschi

 

Womenfolk
 
later, in my bathroom
mirror, I'll examine what has risen
to the surface of my face. I'll sink a toothpick
into the dough to measure my readiness.  
 
Tara Gilbert-Brever

 

Tuesday Night on Field #2
 
She sings a song that will maybe (please!)
Keep it in the middle, come on, come on,
Same speed, same speed, same speed,
The wind picks up dust, a good time to wipe your eyes  
 
D.W. Hayward

 

Dear Andrew,
 
heaven is later so I shall be
in love with the world  
 
Jan Kristy

 

Six Word Poems
 
Since retirement, her notion of heaven
is remaking childhood memories
from whatever she happens to find on sale  
 
Taylor Graham

 

street poet
 
Cops are gonna get him,
break the rhythm, do him harm.  
 
Alberto Coscorrón

 

Two Poems
 
The porch needs paint, the kitten is long dead,
smeared on the street by a Cadillac boy driving
slow, and I've been coughing hard and yellow
for awhile now.  
 
Julie King

 

Finding the Otherworld
 
I wanted to believe
that I was left by sinister fairies,
that someday they would return.  
 
Jennifer Finstrom