A poem can be anything

from the sounds of two people

quietly playing tennis

to an anthem. 

We are not here to answer

this question or to preach

how something poetic

is not necessarily a poem.


Upon acceptance of your poems, you grant Free State Review  First North American Serial Rights and the right to publish your work on our website for up to six months after your work is printed in our  journal. Publishing rights revert back to the author after printing,  but if you do print elsewhere, we ask you note us as publishing your  work first. If you have a simultaneous submission please let us know.  

No more oyster poems, please.