About | Taos Journal of Poetry

Our mission is to discover poetry that raises the hair on our arms, therefore our consciousness; poetry that excites with passion, syntax, imagery, and craft. Founded in Taos, New Mexico, U.S., amid astounding horizontal beauty of mesas, vertical allure of mountains, we are searching too for splendor; intricate and singing. Our vision is wide and inviting to both experimental and formal poetry, reviews, and essays.

Welcome to Issue 15. Looking back to our inaugural issue in 2012, the level of humility profound, and the journey long and in a different world than our now daily onslaught of negative rhetoric and violence. Yet, we prevail, and with hope and love in our mission. Again, the hundreds of poem submissions that arrived during this past March humbled and excited, many leaving me breathless and astonished. Thank you to all who thought of Taos Journal of Poetry. Every submission was read carefully not only by me, but at times by some poets on the advisory board. Submitted poems lyric and narrative mirrored these times, with many embracing home, family, landscape, shelter, love, gratitude. The poetic depth and necessity of the diverse voices in this riveted issue hail from across the United States from Arizona, California, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Translations of poems arrived from various continents either by the poet, or a translator. Here you will find poets who live and/or are with origins in Canada (New Brunswick), Chili, China, Denmark, Poland, and Spain. Please click on the Essay/Reviews tab where you will find highlighted recent poetry collections, an essay on voice and networks, and a beautifully written in- depth poetry response/review.
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This issue is dedicated to the memory of two New Mexico poets who we were profoundly honored to publish: Gary Worth Moody (1951-2025) beloved Santa Fe poet, human being, and friend who enthusiastically supported poetry and poets. From issue 11 lines from “First Light”

"...or shivering dove, or prey other than my clamoring, breathless heart

                spinning with the dying ember of this coaling
earth, this fragile gate, this fallen
             veil from wildness."

And, Nancy Ryan (1934- 2025) Taos poet, visionary, friend to many, and supporter of women’s voices and poetry. From issue 13 lines from “Distance in Place”

"you can only know the thickness of ice
                by diving under it

                            how many times have I lost my life?
                             have you?"
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We want to celebrate the announcement of Santa Fe poet, Arthur Sze as the 25th U.S. Poet Laureate who TJOP published in issue 7 in 2015.

Taos Journal of Poetry is an online journal of International Poetry, co-founded and edited by Catherine Strisik and Veronica Golos in 2011. Since 2023, Taos Journal of Poetry has been edited and published by Catherine who is assisted when in need by a tremendous group of Editorial Advisors.
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Seshat, whose image introduces the journal, is the ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing. She was known by the epithet “Mistress of the House of Books” because she looked after the library of the gods and was the patron of all earthly libraries. She was also patron of all forms of writing.

‍Taos Journal of Poetry is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Your continued tax-deductible contributions are greatly appreciated. Donate Here

All rights to Taos Journal of Poetry, all issues, are reserved with Taos Journal of Poetry and Taos Journal of International Poetry & Art. ©Individual copyrights remain with writers, artists, and photographers for their respective work.

Catherine Strisik, poet, teacher, editor is author of three poetry collections, most recently Goat, Goddess, Moon (2025, Holy Cow! Press) and one chapbook. She was Taos, New Mexico’s Poet Laureate 2020-2021; recipient of Taoseña Award as Woman of Impact based on literary contribution in northern New Mexico; is co-founder and editor of Taos Journal of Poetry, on advisory board of Pocket Samovar, is a Pushcart nominee, and has over 35 years of publications with poetry translated into Greek, Persian, and Bulgarian. Strisik, who after 42 years of living in Taos and dividing her time between Taos and Cape Ann, MA, now lives more fully on Cape Ann where she continues to offer live and via zoom editorial services for both poets and essayists, private consultations, small group poetry workshops, and poetry readings. https://www.cathystrisik.com

Our Mission

Editor

Editorial Advisory Board