Blue Mesa Review is the literary magazine of the University of New Mexico MFA Program in Creative Writing

We seek to publish outstanding and innovative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, along with compelling interviews.

Issue 53 cover

Reflections by Strobe
Coriander Focus

Art

Blue abstract multiple-exposure photo of shadow woman

Coriander Focus_Reflections by Strobe

“Reflections by Strobe” by Coriander Focus

Red storm front photo

bridges-storm-over-los-alamos

“Storm Over Los Alamos” by Lawrence Bridges

Painting of bare trees in desert landscape with pointy, blue mountains on horizon

kunz-lament-of-trees

“Lament of Trees” by Robb Kunz

Orange, yellow, and green abstract watercolor painting

dorsa-luminosity

“Luminosity” by Rosetta Dorsa

Photo of fireworks and lightning storm in background, trees and long-exposure traffic in foreground, at night

bridges-fireworks-lightning-and-rain-on-the-4th-of-july-in-las-cruces-new-mexico

“Fireworks, Lightning, and Rain on the 4th of July in Las Cruces, New Mexico” by Lawrence Bridges

Photo of yellow and green pine forest in Santa Fe

bridges-fall-colors-near-the-santa-fe-ski-basin

“Fall Colors Near the Santa Fe Ski Basin” by Lawrence Bridges

Dark, nighttime horizon photo of rural highway

bridges-night-traffic-toward-española

“Night Traffic Toward Española” by Lawrence Bridges

Colorful abstract image of a maze with a watercolor flourish

kunz-isle-of-minotaurus

“Isle of Minotaurus” by Robb Kunz

Photograph of neon-lighted blue dragon arch gate entrance at night with small human silhouettes walking below

focus-dragon-gate-at-new-years

“Dragon Gate at New Year’s” by Coriander Focus

Blue, textured, abstract image with circular, bright light to the right

focus-sunset-water-droplets

“Sunset Water Droplets” by Coriander Focus

Abstract painting of colors and jagged angles

kunz-anxiety

“Anxiety” by Robb Kunz

Image of trail through pacific northwest pine forest with fog

Coriander Focus_Trail through Pacific North West

“Trail Through Pacific Northwest” by Coriander Focus

Abstract diptych painting with colors of yellow, red, and blue

wright-diptych-4145-4502

“Diptych #4145, #4502” by Ellen June Wright

Photo of flamingo from behind walking through a pool in the zoo

Coriander Focus_Feather and Shadow

“Feather and Shadow” by Coriander Focus

Long-exposure photograph of gray, raining storm cloud with yellow sun coming out from below

Lawrence Bridges_New Mexico Storm

“New Mexico Storm” by Lawrence Bridges

Sunset horizon photo of lonely highway at dusk

blenis-engine-off-bethune

“Engine Off, Bethune” by R.C. Blenis

Issue 53
Spring 2026

Red storm front photo

Letter from the Editor

By John Hardberger

Fiction

Blue, textured, abstract image with circular, bright light to the right

Earthskin

By Hana Rehman

Abstract painting of colors and jagged angles

The Velvet Chair

By Nina Schuyler

Poetry

Orange, yellow, and green abstract watercolor painting

Letter to You About Home as a Song on Our Bodies

By Lindsay Wilson

Painting of bare trees in desert landscape with pointy, blue mountains on horizon

Grocery Run for Grandpa

By Victor Hugo Mendevil

Photo of fireworks and lightning storm in background, trees and long-exposure traffic in foreground, at night

Borrowed Saints

By Windy Martinez

Nonfiction

Photograph of neon-lighted blue dragon arch gate entrance at night with small human silhouettes walking below

Illumination: An Essay in Two Acts

By Jackie Martin

Colorful abstract image of a maze with a watercolor flourish

Swamp Heart

By Samantha Edmonds

Abstract diptych painting with colors of yellow, red, and blue

The Cry of the Cicada

By Jeffrey J. Higa

Fiction sign thumbnail

Fiction

Poetry sign thumbnail

Poetry

Creative Nonfiction sign thumbnail

Nonfiction