Revamping the Young Poets W.O.M. Poems page

Hi everyone,

When I started Word of the Month Poetry Challenge in October 2009, I created two sections, one for adults and one for children. Both links are shown in white drop-out letters just above this page. For several years, a lot of teachers liked the opportunity to post poems by their students. The kids loved seeing their work published and adults were good about posting words of praise and encouragement. Learning to write creatively is an important aspect of improving vocabulary and reading fluency so I was delighted to see so many young people participate in the monthly exercise.

Over the years increased demands of classroom scheduling made it too difficult for teachers to post their students’ work. These days the Young Poets W.O.M. Poems section is seldom blessed with poems by young writers. When a friend of mine, SUSAN BICKEL, suggested that I might revamp the children’s section to appeal to more people and make it easier to post, I knew she was right. The time had come to change.

The resulting changes have now been made. The main difference is that the section now welcomes not only teachers but also librarians, parents, friends, tutors, homeschooled children, and virtually any other adult to might want to post a poem by a child they know. I hope you will click on Young Poets W.O.M. Poems to see for yourself. I long to see more adults post poems by the amazing young people in their lives, starting right now! My genuine thanks to you, Susan, for setting this change in motion.

Constance Levy added to Poetry from Daily Life Free Video Library

Hi everyone,

BRYAN SHIPMAN and I recently added the final eight voices to Poetry from Daily Life Free Video Library, including CONSTANCE LEVY. If you haven’t checked in to hear what Connie has to say, here’s the link to the recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4NwGFr1cHw With Connie’s permission, I read her column as it appeared in the newspaper series on September 12, 2025. To visit the entire 60-voice library, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5wGqp5vbw2K0N7cFcGwN5w

Connie lives in St. Louis, Missouri in a neighborhood of trees, birds, squirrels and other creatures she welcomes into her poems. She started writing poems in first grade. Her first book of poetry, I’m Going to Pet a Worm Today, was published in 1991, when she was 60 years old. She is a former elementary grade teacher and adjunct college instructor. A veteran of school visits, conferences, lectures, and workshops, Connie was named a Distinguished Alumna in Arts & Sciences by Washington University in St. Louis.

Missouri has many poets but few have become established as children’s poets with a record of traditionally published books, and none are older than Connie and I. Thank you, Connie, for joining me in this venture. Long may we rave.

My Word of the Month Poetry Challenge word for December is…

Hi everyone,

I made up this poem in my head over the last two days so when I sat down to write it this morning, it was like taking dictation. I claim this to be a good example of what the monthly exercise is intended to be — an exercise. I’m not going back to this poem. I probably won’t send it anywhere. But it was fun to find a story in our December word: time, and jot a ditty about it. Join me? I wish you would. I hope you will.

When I Could Fly

There was a time
when I had secret powers.
When bad guys threatened,
I'd spread my mighty arms
and rocket into space.
I would sail around the planet
until I found some bad guys,
then swoop down, tie them up, 
and call the authorities
before soaring off to bring
other bad guys to justice.
Now I sit down to put on my shoes.
I’m grateful for a sturdy handrail.
But there was a time,
really and truly,
when I could fly.

(c) 2025 David L. Harrison

Why you should be here on May 5

Hi everyone,

Today at 2:00 I’ll meet at The Library Center in Springfield with STEPHANIE SMALLWOOD and KATHLEEN O’DELL to go over the program for my 2-hour show on May 5. Stephanie, who is Youth Services Coordinator for Springfield-Greene County Library District, is my host for the event. She has advised and aided me throughout the process of bringing the program together. Kathleen, longtime distinguished journalist and former Director of Community Relations for the library district, will be stage manager for the event, making sure that the program moves smoothly from one performance to the next to keep us on schedule. The newly added Hatch Auditorium seats more than 500 and the show will involve 75-100 people. Here’s a picture I took last month when crews were putting the finishing touches on the great new space. The area between the seats and stage can accommodate more seats or tables as needed.

The name of this event will be David Harrison and Friends Celebrate Route 66 and the Arts. We pay our respects to the centennial celebration of the famous road that stretched from Chicago to California back in 1926 and enjoy numerous ways in which creative expression finds its way through music, art, literature, and song. The evening (6:30-8:30) will feature novelist SUSAN CROSE KELLEY high school students from the Youth Entertainment Series (Y.E.S.) Troupe, headliners CREEK ROCKS, folk singer JUDY DOMENY, Ozark folklorist KAITLYN McCONNELL, artists MARY JANE MOONEYHAM and ALICIA FARRIS, Missouri Poet Laureate JUSTIN HAMM, dramatic readings of my work by MICHAEL FRIZELL, SARAH WIGGIN, and MSU drama students, poems performed musically by BYRON BIGGERS BAND, elementary student performers from DISNEY, GRAY, MANN, and HARRISON schools, readings by former Missouri Poet Laureate KAREN CRAIGO plus Drury professor JO VAN ARKEL, MSU poet MARUS CAFAGNA, BOB STEPHENS (leader of the Bards of Moon City), and poet REX Ybañez. I’ll be Master of Ceremonies.

Springfield has been named the official host for the100-year celebration of the 2440-mile road made famous in song (think NATE KING COLE singing “Get your kicks on Route 66”) by novelist JOHN STEINBECK in Grapes of Wrath, and by millions of tourists who chose to drive the iconic road to see America. A wide array of celebratory events will occur from April 29 – May 3 and include my program on May 5. Visitors from around the world are expected to visit us during those fun-filled days. Will you be one of them? Why not plan a trip now. You know I would love to see you.

Writing workshop set for May

Hi everyone,

I’ve agreed to provide a two hour workshop — Writing for Children — on May 2 during the Ozark Writers League (OWL) Spring Conference. The event will be held in Branson, Missouri at the West Branson Best Western Motel. The time will probably be from 9:45 to 11:45. If it changes, I’ll let you know. Nonmembers are welcome to attend. Tickets are $20, payable at the door.

This will be the same workshop I gave in Kansas City in August for The Writers Place. Topic headings are: What do publishers look for in a children’s book? What makes it publishable? What elements need to be there? Do you need an agent and how do you get one? What about illustration? Does the writer find his own illustrator, or does he let the publisher locate an illustrator? If he gets his own illustrator, how does he go about finding one? I’ll gladly respond to questions on these subjects as well as any others that come up.

If this session might be of interest to you or someone you know, put it on your calendar now and plan a trip to Branson on Ma 2. While you’re at it, don’t forget my major event three days later in The Library Center’s new 500-seat auditorium on May 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.. Plans for that one are now in place and I’m delighted with it. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow.