Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora has long served as a vital forum for writing that engages the histories, cultures, and contemporary realities of the African Diaspora. The journal's general issue provides a space for poets to contribute to an ongoing conversation that spans aesthetic innovation and cultural memory. Submissions are read with an eye for work that is both formally considered and intellectually substantive, regardless of style or school. The general issue is not organized around a single theme; instead, it reflects the breadth of poetic practice within the Diaspora. The editors seek poems that demonstrate command of language, a sense of purpose, and an awareness of the traditions from which they emerge. While the journal has a particular commitment to African Diasporic perspectives, it welcomes a range of approaches—narrative, experimental, lyrical, or hybrid—that contribute to the richness of the field. There is no submission fee, underscoring the journal's commitment to accessibility and its respect for writers' labor. Accepted poets will see their work published in a respected literary journal with a distinguished history, joining a community of writers whose voices have shaped the discourse. The reading period is firm: submissions must be received by October 16, 2026.