Blue Heron Review Pushcart Prize Nominations

Congratulations to all of our poets nominated for a Pushcart Prize this year! It is always very difficult to choose just 6 poems. I am so proud of the very fine work published in every single issue of Blue Heron Review! I hope you enjoy browsing our 2 issues from 2025, to read all of the beautiful, thoughtful selections.

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

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From BHR Issue 19 / Spring 2025
(*To read the selections below, please visit the BHR Issue 19 page. Simply scroll down to find the work of each author within the issue)

Helen Bournas-Ney / “A Prayer for My Granddaughter”
Mary Anna Scenga Kruch / “When Souls Find Comfort: Ode to a Lake”
Faith Paulsen / “I Imagine Hildegard von Bingen Finds an Egg”

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From BHR Issue 20 / Fall 2025
(*To read the selections below, please visit the BHR Issue 20 page. Simply scroll down to find the work of each author within the issue.)

Dianna MacKinnon Henning / “Scent of Solitude”
Alison Hurwitz / “To the Man Playing Bach for a Pair of Ducks”
Sarah Sadie / “The Only Argument with Time That Wins”

BLUE HERON REVIEW ISSUE 20 / FALL 2025 IS NOW AVAILABLE TO READ ONLINE!

(*Cover artist credit: Michael Jeske)

Welcome to the latest issue of Blue Heron Review (BHR Issue 20 / Fall 2025 / “What We Gather for Tomorrow”). To read and enjoy our full issue of poetry and artwork, please visit the BHR 20 page of our website.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Poets:
Yvette Viets Flaten * Cheryl Byler Keeler * Glenn Falacienski * Carol Alena Aronoff * Ronnie Hess * Annette Towler * Jackie Langetieg * Dianna MacKinnon Henning * James P Roberts * Cynthia McCain * Rachel Dacus * Diana Woodcock * Alison Hurwitz * Mary C Rowin * Anneliese Finke * Elizabeth McCarthy * Jenna Wysong Filbrun * Karen A VandenBos * Susan Martell * Sarah Sadie * Kathie Giorgio * Wendy Vardaman * Melissa Huff * Penny Harter * Tom Lagasse * Erik Richardson * Thomas A Thrun * Elisabeth Harrahy * Mary Dean Carter

Artists:
Michael Jeske (cover artist) * Karen A VandenBos * j lewis * Paula Lietz

EDITOR’S NOTE:

What if we could gather together the support that others need, compassion for those around us, empathy for the plight of others? The poems in our latest issue may not solve the world’s problems, but If nothing else, you will feel encouraged and find a sense of hope here.  The arts have the power to inspire us during challenging times. I hope that this issue makes you feel less alone and more connected to your fellow human beings.

Cristina M. R. Norcross, Editor
Blue Heron Review
(*Founded 2013)

BHR Issue 17 Fall 2023 / Heart Source & Haven NOW ONLINE!

BHR 17 cover draft2 image

(Cover artist credit: Richard Havenga)

Welcome to the fall issue of Blue Heron Review (BHR 17 / “Heart Source & Haven”). To read and enjoy our full issue of poetry and artwork, please visit the BHR 17 page of our website.

CONTRIBUTORS

Poets:
Cynthia Pratt * Catherine Gonick * Cathy Thwing * Sue Ann Gleason * Terry Jude Miller * Jim Landwehr * Jacqueline Kudler * Pat Phillips West * Jill McGrath * Janet Ruth * Sarah Sadie * Sarah Dickenson Snyder * Judith Sornberger * Ellen Austin-Li * Bonnie Demerjian * Susan Martell Huebner * Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca * Strider Marcus Jones * Nancy Jean Larson * Mary Fitzpatrick * John Grey * Paula Schulz * Mary Trafford * Luanne Castle * Thomas A Thrun * Nancy Austin * Anne Kundtz * Joanne Clarkson * Gary Grossman * Stephen Anderson * Emily Tee * Laura Foley * Scott Ferry * Carol Tahir * Kathrine Yets * Karen A VandenBos * Julie A Dickson * Mary Ray Goehring * Gary Thomas * Jackie Langetieg * Diane Vogel Ferri * Margaret DeRitter * Lisa Ashley * Gail Tirone * Martha Jackson Kaplan * Marsha Owens * Sara Sarna * Paulette Laufer

Artists:
Richard Havenga (cover artist) * Donna Hilbert (featured artist) * Janet Ruth * Paula Lietz * Jeannie E Roberts * Mary Ray Goehring

EDITOR’S NOTE:

I hope that this collection of poetry and artwork provides a welcome space of quiet calm, at a time when our world is in need of repair and peace. In small and gentle ways, may these offerings comfort the heart and mind. This issue is meant to be savored, so take your time. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in. Take some time to hit pause during your day. We hope that you will return again and again to sit with these poems and drink them in.

Kind thoughts,

Cristina M. R. Norcross, Editor
Blue Heron Review
(*founded in 2013)