Monthly Archives: January 2026

Jan 6 2026

The Word of the Month word for January is…

Hi everyone,

Two things. One, I apologize for failing to post the January word at the first of the month. I don’t remember that happening before. Thank you, GINA WYCKOFF, for reminding me!

Two, we learned last week that a dear friend died in October. INCORONATA CORRADO was born in Italy but lived in Montreal. We knew her as CORY, who attended my first poetry workshop for Highlights in Pennsylvania in 2011. Cory was a kind, sweet soul. I tried to reach her over the last few months, not knowing that her health had failed and she was struggling for life. Cory will be missed by many, including her mates at the workshop. She was a faithful contributor to Word of the Month and kept a careful record of each month’s word from the beginning. I dedicate January’s word to her honor and memory.

In Italian, Incoronata means “crowned.” Therefore, the Word of the Month for January, 2026 will be crown or crowned. I wish that Cory could contribute a poem of her own but the rest of us can do it for her.

Jan 4 2026

Sometimes I used to be silly

Hi everyone,

Here are two poems from the past that still make me feel silly. There is no reason for this post except to move on from the picture that has been up for four days. You’re welcome.


Awful Ollie

Ollie is a WRETCHED child
Who drives his family wild!
He pulls his puppy's ears and tail
And laughs to hear the poor thing wail,
He pours syrup on his cat
And tells his sister, "You're so fat!"
Oh Ollie is a DREADFUL child
Who drives his family wild!
He'll never close the bathroom door
Or pick his stinkies off the floor
Or clean his room or make his bed
Or do a thing his daddy's said,
Yes Ollie is a WICKED child
Who drives his family wild!
He joined the gypsies and ran away,
They brought him back the very next day,
So you'd better listen when I say,
If you see Ollie coming, pray!
He's a NASTY HORRIBLE AWFUL TERRIBLE
Child who'll drive you wild!

(c) 1997 David L. Harrison, all rights reserved

Clara’s Dog

Clara’s dog is super silly.
Mickey is a real dilly,
a funny, goofball, willy-nilly –
until you hear him barking!

Mickey’s barking shakes the ground. 
Caterpillars for miles around
march in protest of the sound
of Mickey’s monstrous barking.

Elephants shinny up a tree,
rhinos wheel about and flee,
frightened lions mew and pee,
when they hear Mickey barking. 

Mickey lives to have his fun.
He licks and loves on everyone,
but listen to what I’m saying, hon –
don’t get him started barking!

(c) 2024 David L. Harrison, from Clara's Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz, all rights reserved