January 2026 Poems and Paintings

Emma Major
11 minutes ago
14 min read

January started creatively, just as it has for the last ten years, with daily creative challenges provided by 64 Million Artists. But this year is the last year of The January Challenge and that weighed quite heavily on my heart which you might find reflected in my poetry and paintings. The poems are shared, day by day below, with other poems from the month towards the end of this post.

You can find all the paintings at this link

Day 1 - Versions of You

I'm always just me

Nothing extraordinary

I am what you see

Living life creatively

Focusing on hope

Praying for justice and peace

I'm always just me

…

Day 2 - Find your Rainbow

Rainbows appear as the sun dances with the rain

Each time hope shines through the pain

Having the faith to try again

And again and again

Grain by grain we slowly reframe

Building a vibrant chain

A colourful, vibrant, inclusive domain

That inspires those who retain and restrain

To break free from their desire to constrain

When sunbeams dance in rain a bow appears

A painted promise stretched across the sky

In vibrant hues it calms away my fears

And whispers, "Hope is never meant to die"

For even after storms that leave a trace

Vibrant colours blossom bright and bold

Rainbows inspire an inclusive embrace

A story of resilience to be told

In every band of colour I can see

A path through pain, a chance to try anew

And though the tears may still fall heavily

I'll find the strength to see the journey through

Journeying though the pain I will remain

Renewed in faith to love both sun and rain

…

Day 3 - Hope in the dark

Inspired by hope

Restitching reminiscence

Weaving memories

Full moon shining bright

Night shining with light

Stars like tiny eyes

Watching from the skies

Darkness all around

But hope can still be found

Silver beams shine clear

Chasing away the fear

Though trials come and shadows dim the light

And suffering casts a pall upon my soul

I find a space where everything feels right

A haven where my scattered parts feel whole

For precious hours we simply choose to be

No grand designs or striving to achieve

Just simple joys in quiet company

A gentle calm where time can take its leave

Setbacks sting as challenges remain

Yet gratitude's beacon lights the darkest night

Each moment shared washes over the pain

And fills my world with comforting soft light

I’m thankful for these times without oppression

A taste of peace, a glimpse perhaps of heaven

…

Day 4 - Draw the lyric

It's all about the bass

Let go of stress and exhale

Get down with the groove

It's impossible to fail

Let the music guide you

That's the holy grail

Now it's time for a nap

With the swing of a tail

…

Day 5 - Tear and transform

Tears transform the book of reason

Connecting the body to emotions

Long disconnected heart now open

Salty drops now fall

Book of reasons feels the feels

Heart and soul transform

The book of reason

Blurred by the apex of tears

Love's threshold transforms

Liquid salt from eyes begins to flow

Where reason held a grip too tight and cold

A dam breaks down and feelings start to grow

Stories whisper brave though yet untold

The body sighs a language long unheard

Of sorrow, joy and fear that held it bound

Each tear a key unlocking ancient words

Emotions rise on newly fertile ground

The book of reason once so stark and bare

Uncovers pages vibrant, rich and deep

With colours born of feeling and of care

Where logic sleeps and buried secrets leap

Now let them fall, these tears that cleanse and mend

A bridge rebuilt where heart and thinking blend

…

Day 6 - Text to song

The light of love shines brightly in the night

A gentle gleam, a beacon for the seer

This star unknown is beckoning our sight

Guiding lost souls who are overwhelmed with fear

In distant lands new hope each night will rise

Bringing comfort to those who might feel left behind

The sight a solace to ever weary eyes

Lighting the dark and easing anxious minds

The world is vast and shadows often loom

But love's soft glow is a promise from the start

It chases away our sorrow and our gloom

Bringing hope to those with ever weary hearts

Keep an eye on hope and let the light of love

Bring comfort and peace to the world from God above

Today is the feast of the epiphany when we celebrate the magi, star gazers from the east, who followed a star in the sky for many years to pay homage to Jesus. They knew nothing of a promised Messiah, but they were drawn to Jesus, guided by God, to then spread the good news to the wider world. On the way to Jesus, the Magi were stopped by King Herod, but they ignored his demand to be told where Jesus was, instead telling Mary and Joseph to flee to safety as refugees.

So today we celebrate those who are faithful and true to what they know to be right, standing up to power and ensuring the safety of those in need.

The painting is of 3 wise women journeying across the desert to visit Jesus

…

Day 7 - Bold thoughts bold images

I can't wait to get old

Full of wisdom and wrinkles

Memories and happiness

Crazy hair and dresses

Wait a minute, I'm already that last one

I look forward to the days

When I'm not the only one struggling to see

Or wheeling around all over the place

Not because I want you to join me

But because I think we'll have a lot of fun

Getting told to be sensible

But knowing we've outgrown being boring

I will definitely misbehave

Laugh until I wet myself

Enjoy music of all ages

With a boogy or two thrown in

I'm not sure that the shapes I throw will be good looking

But I know I won't care if I'm enjoying

I'll definitely be bold

In thoughts and actions

And I'm telling you know that I'll still be creating

Because no matter how old I get

Creativity will always be everything to me

…

Day 8 - one brush stroke

Friends step forward eagerly

Defenders walk backwards slowly

Guesswork risks damage

Rumours demand truth

Life is complicated

Acceptance is underrated

Peace becomes clear

Love conquers fear

…

Day 9 - Flag of unity

Life may seem stormy right now

But hold onto hope

You can't enjoy the rainbow

Without the rain

Ignite those rainbow engines

Spreading inclusion

Love, acceptance, peace and joy

Kindness is priceless The greatest commodity

We can all possess

Outlandish hope lives We are better together Finding our truth

Within every heart Glimmers of hope emerge bright Beautiful essence

Resplendent rainbows Reassure worried people Hope will never die

…

Day 10 - your journey

Today is a low energy high pain day

Writing this takes everything

Getting out of bed was an achievement

Even chewing is exhausting

A shower was impossible

So I'm laying on the sofa TV watching

Maybe tomorrow will be better

I can keep hoping

…

Day 11 - body portrait

How does my body feel?

Still pretty rubbish

But my soul feels light

Allowing me to flourish

Loving myself on dark days

Dear inner child

You're safe

…

Day 12 - paper planes

White hearted dreamers

Follow rainbow adventures

Celebrating hope

Stars originate

Where petals and butterflies

Touch lights fantastic

Today's theme of paper planes reminded me of The Paper Birds Exhibition in 2023 in Wigan. Origami birds were hung from trees and hand written haiku were suspended from the birds. These are two of my haiku that were part of the exhibition.

http://www.healthyarts.org.uk/paper-birds.html

Then I remembered this series of micro poems I wrote in 2000 linking birds to musical instruments.

Woodnote Natural musical tone As a forest bird

Violin

Orchestral Nightingale

High and pure

Viola

Graceful Goldfinch

Alto voice

Cello

Blackbird beauty

Can't help but listen

Double bass

Tawny Owl in flight Resonates

Octobass

Cuckoo stealthy underneath

Vibrates

…

Day 13 - shape the day

If your burden is heavy

Put it down somewhere safe

With permission to hibernate

Trusting that in time it's wings will grow

Lightning it's load

Rejuvenating hope

…

Day 14 - a new year

A new year so bright and grand

Saw parties all over the land

With cheers in the air

No room for despair

Fresh starts are closer at hand

…

Day 15 - creativity is potential

Westerly snow wind

Whisper to me in solace

My frostbitten friend

Warmer days make space

For frost to fade into dust

Damp storm fronts descend

In glacial pain

Creaks and groans echo widely

Clear minded thoughts wrap around

Finding solace in my bones

In wilderness homes

Looking ahead we forecast

Peace beyond measure

Dawn will brighten dark mornings

Creating optimism

3 tanka poems attempting to describe the pain of arthritis as it changes with the weather.

…

Day 16 - messy play

You'd like me to play messy?

That sounds pretty easy

Because my life's messy

My head's messy

My body's messy

And let's be honest… the world's messy

So perhaps I'll embrace messy

Trusting that within the mess

We might discover the best

Of humanity

Of connectivity

Of community

…

Day 17 - your favourite place

I love the sea

Wheeling besides still waters

Or buffeted by the wind

It's the wide sky that brings my peace

A sense of release

From worldly tension

God of rest and peace

Help me find space to be with you today

Discover your acceptance of me

And receive your perfect love

That I may feel peaceful in all situations

Amen

…

Day 18 - treasure hunt

Energy is treasure, mine was lost long ago

Maybe it's sailing on burning boats that glow

Or perhaps it is travelling over a slow burning bridge

I'm waiting with hope to turn off fatigue's switch

To become that woman, full of vigor and verve

That I was when younger, before life took a swerve

…

Day 19 - chain of hope

Joy

Serenity

Gratitude

Love

Passion

Anger

Sadness

Melancholy

Optimism

Inspiration

Fear

Hope

Emotions link us together

In a chain of compassion

Highlighted by hope

Or an acrostic:

Each feeling a colour like joy's bright hue

Moments of serenity peaceful and true

Outpouring of gratitude a thankful art

Tender love blooming right from the heart

Intense passion burning a fiery desire

Often sadness flares setting hearts afire

Numbing gloom lingers a cloudy grey

Soft melancholy whispers at the close of day

…

Day 20 - find a face

When someone is missing due to illness

Do you miss their presence?

When a week later they are still not there

Do you recall their face?

When they are still away a fortnight later

Do you notice their absence?

When they haven't appeared after a month

Does their face come to mind?

When the illness isn't cured or curable

Do you choose to forget?

How many missing faces are now faceless in hospital waiting rooms?

How many smiles shared become a moment of hope?

So many faceless people gathered together in their missing yet still existing!

…

Day 21 - turn it up

I quietly ache for one single day

An hour or even a moment

When my body does what I say

Without pain or exhaustion

I quietly ache for a peacefulness

Within my body and soul

Accepting without any fuss

That I am more than good enough

I quietly ache for the world to heal

To pull together hopefully

Turning from horror and zeal

To a place of harmony

…

Day 22 - I aspire

I come from England, part of the United Kingdom, or is that Great Britain

It’s definitely Europe, I ignore those other politicians

I’m a citizen of Earth, hoping humanity can get it together

Trusting that in every way we can learn to do better

I come from dust, as every living creature does

I’ll return to dust again, no one has any idea when

Therefore within this limited period of time, my only aim is to daily align

With movements of hope and calls for peace, until my days do finally cease

…

Day 23 - pen explorer

Let the words form

Walk across the page

Find thoughts brand new

A different way

Don't push it back

Don't run away

It might be good

It might be bright

A chance to learn

To see the light

Listen close

With open ear

Reflect on all

You hold so dear

Turn around

Now look anew

Reach a hand

Then see it through

New ideas

A helpful guide

To better paths

On every side

Exploring new ideas isn't a bad thing, it's an opportunity to improve, to listen and reflect, to turn about and reach out

…

Day 24 - a funeral for….

Lessons from sadness

Reflect in winter windows

Sparkling in snow storms

Melting under the spring warmth

Flower gardens bloom

Drawing on lost memories

Forget me no more

Reminiscence along rainbows

Touching the senses

With your truth and honesty

Lessons from sadness

…

Day 25 - window reflection

Becoming laden

With a quiet surrender

I flutter freely

On the edge of forever

If only I flew

…

Day 26 - connect the objects

The body aches, a constant dull refrain

When cells betray and start to fight within

And living's hard with never ending pain

Each hopeful morning shadowed by the strain

A battle fought that no one seems to win

The body aches, a constant dull refrain

The future dims, a misty blurry plane

Where joy and ease become a distant din

And living's hard with never ending pain

A silent scream, a soul caught in the rain

Longing for strength, for where to even begin

The body aches, a constant dull refrain

The world keeps spinning, adding to the bane

Ignoring struggles hidden deep within

And living's hard with never ending pain

Though hope may fade and darkness may remain

A flicker lives, a chance to rise again

The body aches, a constant dull refrain

And living's hard with never ending pain

…

Day 27 - weave together

Overthink the good

Accepting our differences

Weave understanding

Trusting collaboration

Whisper between worlds with hope

…

Day 28 - my book

I am lucky enough to have had 18 books published and to have my poetry and artwork in dozens more. I have five in current stages of publication and another 10 in various stages of creation, each one a new baby to be birthed into the world with excitement and trepidation.

But today I want to share something a lot easier to create than a whole book, and that is a zine. Zines are small handmade magazines created to share a subject or interest; and anyone can make one.

It took me an hour today to create this zine containing some of my creativity from this year's January Challenge.

This simple format prints onto one side of A4 and then, with a little folding and cutting, becomes a tiny zine of 8 pages. I've shared my template so you can have a go at making one yourself.

…

Day 29 - a quiet conversation

I feel like I belong

When you welcome me to your home

Offering me tea and biscuits

There's a warmth inside that pot

That surpasses understanding

Opening hearts to share

The door swings wide as a beacon in the night

I am bid, "Come in, don't stay there outside"

It's a simple welcome bathed in gentle light

I put down my worries and rest my heavy stride

The tea is freshly brewed, the kettle starts to sing

A steaming mug offered with a biscuit on a plate

More than mere comfort these small gestures bring

A feeling much deeper to which I relate

It's not just the tea or sweetness of the crumb

But in the warmth that rises from the steaming pot

A sense of being home where I no longer feel numb

A kinship found with you in this familiar spot

This simple haven is built on kindness shown

Here I know I belong within your loving home

…

Day 30 - pass it on

Poetry was my only solace

In days where chaos overwhelmed calm

Pain tormented psychology

And tears flowed silently

Trauma was endured

Before even hearing it's name

Only by sharing and slowly understanding

Could my words heal inside of me

…

Day 31 - creativity for change

Blizzards of feelings

Appear within a dreamscape

Instinctually

Creativity changes

Broken reflections

Invite better connections

Hope resonates strength

Empowering feathers for flight

Patience in waiting

Crafting narratives of peace

Blizzards of feelings

Creativity

The greatest tool ever seen

To process what's seen

…

More poems written in January 2026

Grey smoke starts to rise

Tiny pink buds blossoming

Nascent promises

...

Protective freshness

Purified longevity

Scenting the senses

...

Desiccated pain

Within unforgotten tears

Ash nurtures new growth

Breathe deeply in peace

Becoming one with nature

Timelessly we rest

Building together

Synthesising love

Pieces merge as one

...

Freedom

Feels impossible

Desperately we gather

Picking up the pieces

Hopefully

...

Night skies open wide

Inviting lingering loss

To release remnants

From painfully pure presence

Igniting inspiration

...

Petals obscure truth

Fractured reflections light hope

Bloom into the night

...

Cold crowns of winter

Melt beneath indigo skies

New life awaits warmth

Dawn birdsong summons the sun

Winter's silent reign remains

...

Drowning in tears I've cried so many times

Forgotten despite petrichor reminders

Invisible behind glimmers of existence

Silenced within shallow greetings

Weary faces still summon their smiling masks

Even when you don't remember their keepers

...

As winter frost thaws

I emerge from my cocoon

Trusting in the moon

Evergreen wishes sparkle

Unlearning silent fears

...

Silent moonlit snow

Shifting with expectation

It must be tea time

Filled with anticipation

Your puuuurfect benediction

...

Forgiveness is the catalyst of true peace

...

Six word stories

Bird song lifted my heavy heart

Snowdrops; a promise of warmer days

Rest blessed exhausted mind and bodies

...

Westerly snow wind

Whisper to me in solace

My frostbitten friend

Warmer days make space

For frost to fade into dust

Damp storm fronts descend

Creaks and groans echo widely

In glacial pain

Clear minded thoughts wrap around

Finding solace in my bones

In wilderness homes

Looking ahead we forecast

Peace beyond measure

Dawn will brighten dark mornings

Creating optimism

3 tanka poems attempting to describe the pain of arthritis as it changes with the weather.

...

Who am I?

I live in the faintest grey

Not black yet not white

A sorrowful freedom writer

Sharing my lucid words in times of peril

Enjoying the flowers

Praying history finds hope

Soon!

...

Golden daylight dawns

Beautiful beginnings bless

Contemplative souls

Meeting midnight miracles

Stars silence secretive steps

...

That's it. Silence falls

No more words left to be said

Just empty space now

This yearly story must end

Last leaves letting go

The earth breathes peace soft and still

That's it. Silence falls

...

Gravity of life

Weighs down anticipation

Love and hope win out

Shining through the gloaming light

Gravity of life

...

Cold hearts can't kill flames

Lit beneath the bright full moon

Love is never lost

Gloaming births new beginnings

Within freshly fallen snow

...

The car is packed, full of items new and old

Another semester of her being out of sight

I wave and smile, as her story unfolds

Happy for her life that shines ever so bright

"Have fun," I say, "enjoy being with your friends."

My voice is steady, holding inside what I feel

For deep in my chest, a hollow ache transcends

Happiness hiding grief that takes a second to heal

You'd think I'd be used to the experience by now

These partings planned and expected in advance

Every single time I smile as per my silent vow

Staying composed, as she repeatedly transplants

It's bittersweet each time, this love that sets her free

But then I settle again, into the routine that fulfills me

...

I'm broken, exhausted and completely incapacitated

By Christmas celebrations with many generations

By socialising and vocalising

By people's presence and beautiful presents

That's the reality of chronic illness

It can be exacerbated when I'm not calibrated

It never ends, there's no energy in which I can depend

So now I'm resting into the new year, with my energy depleted and my body defeated begging to be hibernated

The tinsel's down and carols hushed

The last gift opened without a fuss

With fingers that are sore and weak

I'm laying here to tired to speak

They came, they laughed, they filled the room

Dispelling winter's heavy gloom

I wanted joy, I craved the cheer

But payment comes, it's always near

Each hug a drain, each chat a strain

A fragile dam against the pain

The glitter fades, the mag

January 2026 Poems and Paintings

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