(*Artist credit: Photo by Jimmy Woo on Unsplash)

READING PERIOD FOR BHR ISSUE 21 / SPRING 2026 WILL BE:

JANUARY 15-30, 2026

THEME: WHOLENESS

What does it mean to feel whole? The more whole, healed people there are in the world, the better our society will function. What activities, gatherings, experiences, pursuits, or passions in life provide you with a sense of wholeness? What types of interactions with loved ones or friends make your heart feel whole? Perhaps, it’s about feeling more connected to ourselves and other people? Please send me your more most heartfelt stories of wholeness in the form of poetry.

(*Note: Please do not send submissions prior to January 15th. They will not be read or considered. Please visit the submission guidelines page for a complete list of instructions.)

I look forward to reading your poems!

—Cristina M. R. Norcross
Founding Editor, Blue Heron Review