NaPoMo Issue 2026 Out Now!

We at Iron Horse Literary Review are proud to announce the release of our 2026 National Poetry Month Issue! You can read the issue for free via ISSUU online right here.

For the last 18 years, IHLR has selected ten poems, one winner and nine finalists, for publication in this issue released in full color, with unique artwork paired to each manuscript. The winner receives $1,000, two runners-up receive $150 and $100, and all remaining finalists receive $50.

This year, our winning poem was "Alverdia Finds a Fox in the Neighbor's Trap" by Todd Davis. You can also read an interview with Davis about his winning poem in the issue.

Congratulations also to our runners-up and finalists, who are listed below:

Runners-Up

Kaecey McCormick, "Altar of Memory"

Allison Field Bell, "Boulder Problem"

Finalists

Michelle Alexander, "Black Earth"

Jack Anderson, "From a Patio Across the Boulevard"

Allison Field Bell, "Foe"

Alaina Craib, "June Poem"

Alaina Craib, "2,500 years ago, a man goes missing in Lille Vildmose"

Majda Gama, "Elegy at the Chain Bridge, Washington DC"

Shakiba Hashemi, "Aftermath"

Daniel Ooi, "Directions for a Time to Come"

Thank you to all our contributers and submitters for this issue. We're excited for everyone to read and experience these poets' work!