A 2026 jazz poetry calendar

December 31st, 2025

 

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Readers can click to the next month at the conclusion of each poem.  You can also go to each month by clicking on the link to the months here:

Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec/Intro

 

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January, 2026

“When It’s January”

by Connie Johnson

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photo by Mario Wallner/via Pexels

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When It’s January

the entire
month
symbolizes
a fresh start /
new beginnings

& for me
there’s the specialness
of one day in
particular:

the 25th of January

the day my mother was born
the day Antonio Carlos Jobim was born
the day Etta James was born

a fresh start
new beginnings!
but lately
on these uncivil days
& (un)quiet nights of quiet stars
I’m discontent
disquieted & blue
I’m drowning
in wild longing for
what is civil & just
& true

o how I long
to just pull up a chair
unload my mind…
&

tell mama.

 

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Listen to Connie Johnson read her poem

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Connie Johnson has multiple Pushcart Prize nominations for poetry. A California-based writer, she has authored Everything is Distant Now (Blue Horse Press) and I Have Almost Everything (Boats Against the Current). In a Place of Dreams, her digital chapbook (containing audio readings/personal narrative), was published by Jerry Jazz Musician. Click here to view it.

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Listen to the 2014 recording of drummer Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band performing Blade’s composition “Embers,” with Jon Cowherd (piano); Chris Thomas (bass); Melvin Butler (saxophone); and Myron Walden (bass clarinet). [Universal Music Group]

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Click here to read George Kalamaras’ poem for February

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