First of all, published poet and contributor Tao Yucheng is still hosting a poetry contest, open to all readers of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Synchronized Chaos Poetry Contest: We seek short, powerful, imaginative, and strange poetry. While we welcome all forms of free verse and subject matter, we prefer concise work that makes an impact.

Guidelines: Submit up to five poems per person to taoyucheng921129@proton.me. Each poem should not exceed one page (ideally half a page or less). All styles and themes welcome. Deadline for submissions will be in early March.

Prizes: First Place: $50 Second Place: $10, payable via online transfer. One Honorable Mention. Selected finalists will be published in Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Also, past contributor Alexander Kabishev is seeking international poems of four lines each on the theme of friendship for a global anthology. The anthology, Hyperpoem, will be published by Ukiyoto Press and a presentation of the poem will take place in Dubai in August 2026.

Kabishev says the new vision of the project goes beyond commercial frameworks, aiming to become an international cultural and humanitarian movement, with the ambitious goal of reaching one million participants and a symbolic planned duration of one thousand years.

The focus is on promoting international friendship, respect for the identity of all peoples on Earth, and building bridges of understanding between cultures through poetry and its readers.

Please send poems to Alexander at aleksandar.kabishev@yandex.ru

This month’s issue asks the question, “Who Will We Become?” Submissions address introspection, spiritual searching, and moral and relational development and decision-making.

This issue was co-edited by Yucheng Tao.

Sajid Hussain’s metaphysical, ethereal poetry, rich with classical allusions, reminds us of the steady passage of time.

Jamal Garougar’s New Year reflection emphasizes ritual, spirituality, and the practices of patience and peace. Taylor Dibbert expresses his brief but cogent hope for 2026.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand’s spare poetry illustrates the dissolution of human identity. Bill Tope’s short story reflects on memory and grief through the protagonist’s recollection of his late school classmate. Turkan Ergor considers the depth of emotions that can lie within a person’s interior. Sayani Mukherjee’s poem on dreams lives in the space between waking thought and imaginative vision. Stephen Jarrell Williams offers up a series of childhood and adult dreamlike and poetic memories. Alan Catlin’s poem sequence renders dreams into procedural logic: how fear, guilt, memory, and culture behave when narrative supervision collapses. Priyanka Neogi explores silence itself as a creator and witness in her poetry. Duane Vorhees’ rigorous poetic work interrogates structure: individuality, myth, divinity, agency, culture. Tim Bryant analyzes the creative process and development of craft in Virginia Aronson’s poetic book of writerly biographies, Collateral Damage.

Nurbek Norchayev’s spiritual poetry, translated from English to Uzbek by Nodira Ibrahimova, expresses humility and gratitude to God. Timothee Bordenave’s intimate devotional poetry shares his connection to home and to his work and his feelings of gratitude.

Through corrosive imagery and fractured music, Sungrue Han’s poem rejects sacred authority and reclaims the body as a site of sound, resistance, and memory. Shawn Schooley’s poem operates through liturgical residue: what remains after belief has been rehearsed, delayed, or partially evacuated. Slobodan Durovic’s poem is a high-lyric, baroque lament, drawing from South Slavic oral-poetic density, Biblical rhetoric, and mythic self-abasement.

Melita Mely Ratkovic evokes a mystical union between people, the earth, and the cosmos. Jacques Fleury’s work is rich in sensory detail and conveys a profound yearning for freedom and renewal. The author’s use of imagery—“fall leaf,” “morning dew,” “unfurl my wings”—evokes a vivid sense of life’s beauty and the desire to fully experience it. James Tian speaks to care without possession, love through distance and observation. Mesfakus Salahin’s poem evokes a one-sided love that is somewhat tragic, yet as eternal as the formation of the universe, as Mahbub Alam describes a love struggling to exist in a complicated and wounded world. Kristy Ann Raines sings of a long-term, steady, and gallant love.

Lan Xin evokes and links a personal love with collective care for all of humanity. Ri Hossain expresses his hope for a gentler world by imagining changed fairy tales. Critic Kujtim Hajdari points out the gentle, humane sensibility of Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poetry. Brian Barbeito’s lyric, understated travel essay passes through a variety of places and memories. Anna Keiko’s short poem shares her wish for a simple life close to nature. Christina Chin revels in nature through sensual, textured haikus.

Doniyorov Shakhzod describes the need for healthy and humane raising of livestock animals. g emil reutter hits us on the nose with cold weather and frigid social attitudes towards the suffering of the poor and working classes. Patricia Doyne lampoons authoritarian tendencies in the American government. Eva Petropoulou Lianou reminds us that we cannot truly enjoy freedom without a moral, peaceful, and just society. Sarvinoz Giyosova brings these types of choices down to a personal level through an allegory about different parts of one person’s psychology.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand critiques societal mores that have shifted to permit hypocrisy and the pursuit of appearances and wealth at all costs. Inomova Kamola Rasuljon qizi highlights the social and medical effects and implications of influenza and its prevention. Sandip Saha’s work provides a mixture of direct critique of policies that exploit people and the environment and more personal narratives of life experiences and kindness. Gustavo Gac-Artigas pays tribute to Renee Nicole Good, recently murdered by law enforcement officers in the USA.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Qaysi expresses his deep and poetic love for a small child. Abduqahhorova Gulhayo shares her tender love for her dedicated and caring father. Qurolboyeva Shoxista Olimboy qizi highlights the connection between strong families and a strong public and national Uzbek culture. Ismoilova Jasmina Shavkatjon qizi’s essay offers a clear, balanced meditation on women in Uzbekistan and elsewhere as both moral architects and active agents of social progress, grounding its argument in universal human values rather than abstraction.

Dilafruz Muhammadjonova and Hilola Khudoyberdiyeva outline the contributions of Bekhbudiy and other Uzbek Jadids, historical leaders who advocated for greater democracy and education. Soibjonova Mohinsa melds the poetic and the academic voices with her essay about the role of love of homeland in Uzbek cultural consciousness. Dildora Xojyazova outlines and showcases historical and tourist sites in Uzbekistan. Zinnura Yuldoshaliyeva explicates the value of studying and understanding history. Rakhmanaliyeva Marjona Bakhodirjon qizi’s essay suggests interactive and playful approaches to primary school education. Uzbek student Ostanaqulov Xojiakba outlines his academic and professional accomplishments.

Aziza Joʻrayeva’s essay discusses the strengths and recent improvements in Uzbekistan’s educational system. Saminjon Khakimov reminds us of the importance of curiosity and continued learning. Uzoqova Gulzoda discusses the importance of literature and continuing education to aspiring professionals. Toychiyeva Madinaxon Sherquzi qizi highlights the value of independent, student-directed educational methods in motivating people to learn. Erkinova Shahrizoda Lazizovna discusses the diverse and complex impacts of social media on young adults.

Alex S. Johnson highlights the creative energy and independence of musician Tairrie B. Murphy. Greg Wallace’s surrealist poetry assembles itself as a bricolage of crafts and objects. Noah Berlatsky’s piece operates almost entirely through phonetic abrasion and semantic sabotage, resisting formal logic and evoking weedy growth. Fiza Amir’s short story highlights the level of history and love a creative artist can have for their materials. Mark Blickley sends up the trailer to his drama Paleo: The Fat-Free Musical. Mark Young’s work is a triptych of linguistic play, consumer absurdity, and newsfeed dread, unified by an intelligence that distrusts nostalgia, coherence, and scale. J.J. Campbell’s poetry’s power comes from the refusal to dress things up, from humor as insulation against pain. On the other end of the emotional spectrum, Taghrid Bou Merhi’s essay offers a lucid, philosophically grounded meditation on laughter as both a humane force and a disruptive instrument, tracing its power to critique, heal, and reform across cultures and histories. Mutaliyeva Umriniso’s story highlights how both anguish and laughter can exist within the same person.

Paul Tristram traces various moods of a creative artist, from elation to irritation, reminding us to follow our own paths. Esonova Malika Zohid qizi’s piece compares e-sports with physical athletics in unadorned writing where convictions emerge with steady confidence. Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar’s poetry presents simple, defiant lyrics that affirm poetry as an indestructible form of being, embracing joy, exclusion, and madness without apology.

Ozodbek Yarashov urges readers to take action to change and improve their lives. Aziza Xazamova writes to encourage those facing transitions in life. Fazilat Khudoyberdiyeva’s poem asserts that even an ordinary girl can write thoughtful and worthy words.

Botirxonov Faxriyor highlights the value of hard work, even above talent. Taro Hokkyo portrays a woman finding her career and purpose in life.

We hope that this issue assists you, dear readers, in your quest for meaning and purpose.

An adventurer, at home.

The soft, suave scent, of these burnt lavenders,

Dwells my mind, whilst I quietly write this poem,

In my living room, books and paintings, masks and gems,

Just keep still… All around the silence reigns over.

Blessed be, o Lord ! Thy peace, granted to a poor boy,

Came with the faculty to work, and learn your books…

I can pray now Thy love, in this shrine full of joy,

Rich refuge for my life, which I am glad none took.

There are the jewelry, tailored clothes, lithographs,

Sea shells and silver lamps, ivories, or gold rings…

All reminding of past battles. – My humble being.

Then I will read the Psalms, the Gospels and some Saints !

Before writing a stance, a try, until I faint…

To express gratitude ! As for an epitaph.

*****

A Christian poem.

When I pray Thee o Lord, my voice, humble but proud,

Raise inner, for Thou knows everything of me,

Then I try to write down, speak up, but never loud,

No for we are not much. Before Thy great army.

We are children to Thee, though. Salt grains for the Earth…

We are friends to the birds, colorful like flowers…

We can be good workers, until the last hour,

We can be good servants if we know what we’re worth.

The paradise immense, where will live forever,

Those amongst us who choose to be His believers,

Is like the treasure a peasant finds in a field…

Soon this field acquired, then the riches revealed,

Everyone will think this person has been wise.

Be pious, be gentle, love, hope… – Jesus advises.

*****

The poet plans for work.

You see me now, well quiet, at my library desk !

Director here. Further, I hear cars passing by,

Further, I see grey clouds… The silence is at stake,

Calm, as I read Plato : moments some wish could buy.

Then I take my pen on : I will write for Roma,

For the woman I love, her lips, their aroma…

I will write for Paris, for London, for Madrid,

For a farm in the snow, then for my youth in need.

I want to write again ! For a trip to Jersey, 

On a boat, whilst a storm was raging the Channel,

I want to write about hiking, and this tunnel…

In Geneva when I questioned my survival.

I will write about my past girlfriends – when opals,

Drizzled from their glances on our soft Odyssey !

*****

Timothee Bordenave is a French author, a poet, novelist and essayist. He has published many books both in French and English. A part of his writings has been translated to various languages and published internationally.

He is also a visual artist as a photographer and a painter, whose works have also been widely shown, in France like in many other countries around the world.

Born in Paris, France, in 1984, he still lives in France today, partaking his days between the capital town and countryside properties. He first worked as a library director, before shifting to be a fulltime author and artist. 

His interest to culture and creativity has brought him to be very active in the local French art community, involving himself notably in the organization of art events for his friends.

Historical Monuments of Uzbekistan: Timeless Witnesses of Uzbekistan 

Uzbekistan, located at the heart of Central Asia, is one of the world’s oldest cultural crossroads. For centuries, it served as a key hub of the Great Silk Road, connecting East and West, North and South. As merchants, scholars, travelers, and conquerors passed through its territory, they left behind not only goods and ideas but also magnificent architectural monuments. Today, Uzbekistan is home to hundreds of historical sites that reflect the rich political, spiritual, and cultural history of the region. These monuments are not merely remnants of the past; they are living witnesses to the rise and fall of great civilizations and continue to shape the national identity of the Uzbek people.

Samarkand – The Pearl of the East

Among Uzbekistan’s historical cities, Samarkand holds a special place. Often referred to as “the Pearl of the East,” Samarkand is more than 2,700 years old and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city reached its golden age during the reign of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) in the 14th century, when it became the capital of a vast empire.

The most iconic monument of Samarkand is Registan Square, a grand ensemble of three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Kori Madrasah. These buildings demonstrate the pinnacle of Islamic architecture, with their majestic portals, intricate geometric patterns, and vibrant blue tilework. Registan was not only an architectural center but also a place of education, public gatherings, and intellectual exchange.

Another remarkable monument is the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Amir Timur and his descendants. Its massive turquoise dome and elegant interior symbolize the power and ambition of the Timurid dynasty. The mausoleum later inspired the design of other famous structures, including the Taj Mahal in India.

Bukhara – A Living Museum

Bukhara is often described as an open-air museum, as it has preserved its historical layout and monuments remarkably well. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Bukhara was once a major center of Islamic theology, science, and trade.

One of the most impressive landmarks in Bukhara is the Poi-Kalyan Complex, which includes the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. The Kalyan Minaret, standing nearly 47 meters tall, was built in the 12th century and has survived numerous invasions and earthquakes. Legend says that even Genghis Khan was so impressed by its beauty that he ordered it not to be destroyed.

Another significant site is the Ark Fortress, an ancient citadel that served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for centuries. Within its walls, political decisions were made, cultural life flourished, and the fate of the emirate was determined. Walking through the Ark today allows visitors to imagine the daily life of medieval rulers and scholars.

Khiva – A City Frozen in Time

Khiva, located in the Khorezm region, is one of the best-preserved historical cities in Central Asia. Its inner city, Ichan-Kala, is surrounded by massive clay walls and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike many ancient cities, Khiva’s historical center remains almost entirely intact.

Among Khiva’s architectural masterpieces is the Kalta Minor Minaret, famous for its unfinished yet striking appearance, covered in blue and green tiles. The Juma Mosque, with its 218 carved wooden columns, reflects ancient construction traditions and artistic craftsmanship. Each column has a unique design, some dating back to the 10th century. Khiva’s monuments reflect the cultural identity of Khorezm, a region that made significant contributions to science, mathematics, and astronomy. 

Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Timur, is another important historical city in Uzbekistan. 

The Dorus-Saodat and Dorus-Tilovat complexes in Shakhrisabz include mausoleums and mosques associated with Timur’s family and spiritual mentors. These monuments highlight the deep connection between political authority and religious life in medieval Central Asia.

While Uzbekistan is widely known for its Islamic monuments, its territory also preserves traces of pre-Islamic civilizations. The city of Termez, located in the south of the country, was once an important center of Buddhism along the Silk Road. Archaeological sites such as Fayaz-Tepa and Kara-Tepa contain remains of Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and sculptures dating back to the Kushan period. These monuments prove that Uzbekistan has long been a land of religious tolerance and cultural diversity. They enrich the historical narrative of the country and demonstrate its role in global civilization.

Since gaining independence, Uzbekistan has placed great emphasis on preserving and restoring its historical monuments. Large-scale restoration projects have been carried out, and many sites have been adapted for cultural tourism. At the same time, efforts are being made to balance modernization with historical authenticity. Historical monuments today play a vital role in educating young generations, strengthening national pride, and promoting Uzbekistan on the international stage. They attract millions of tourists each year and contribute to economic development through cultural tourism. The historical monuments of Uzbekistan are far more than architectural achievements; they are symbols of human creativity, knowledge, and resilience.

From the grand squares of Samarkand to the quiet streets of Khiva, each monument tells a story of a civilization that once flourished and continues to inspire the modern world. Preserving these treasures is not only a national responsibility but also a contribution to global cultural heritage. Uzbekistan, with its timeless monuments, stands as a bridge between the past and the future, inviting humanity to learn from history and value cultural diversity.

INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY PRIMARY EDUCATION
EFFECTIVE EDUCATION AND STIMULATING INTEREST AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

RAKHMANALIYEVA MARJONA BAKHODIRJON QIZI

Abstract: This article explores effective teaching methods for primary school students, ways to stimulate interest, and pedagogical approaches. It highlights the use of interactive methods, games, visual materials, and reward systems to enhance students’ active
participation in the learning process.

Introduction
Primary school is the period when a child acquires fundamental knowledge and forms social skills. Therefore, it is crucial that education at this stage is effective, sparks students’ interest and makes the learning process enjoyable. The main task for educators
is to encourage students’ active participation and create opportunities to reinforce knowledge.

Primary education serves as the foundation for a student’s successful learning in later stages. It is precisely during this period that children develop an interest in learning, independent thinking, a thirst for knowledge, and social skills. Consequently, organizing
education effectively in primary school and engaging students in subjects requires a thorough methodological approach from the teacher.

The Principles of Effective Education

1. Active Teaching Methods
   Young children learn faster through play. Therefore:
   Interactive games
   Role-playing activities
   Group tasks

Question-and-answer methods strengthen their desire to participate actively in the lesson process.
Example:
Solving math problems through the “Who’s Faster?” game, or explaining the content of
a text using the “Find and Tell” technique.

2. Using Visual Aids
   Younger students master topics better when they see them. Therefore:
   Pictures
   Charts
   Colorful flashcards
   Video materials
   make the topic interesting and understandable.
3. The Importance of Game Technologies
   Play is a child’s natural psychological need. Play-based learning develops skills such
   as:
   a) Attention
   b) Memory
   c) Thinking
   d) Creativity
   Types of games:
   a) Didactic games
   b) Active/movement games
   c) Logical games
   d) Interactive digital games
4. Individual Approach
   Since each student’s:
5. Level of knowledge,
6. Character,
7. Pace of learning
   is different, the teacher must choose an individual approach.
   Examples:
8. Assigning more complex tasks to strong students.
9. Giving easier, step-by-step tasks to struggling children.
10. Applying an encouraging approach.
11. Motivation System
    Praising a student improves their emotional and motivational state.
12. Oral evaluations like “Excellent!”, “Great job!”
13. Stars, stickers,
14. Small gifts
    strengthen their interest in the lesson.
15. Using Technological Tools
    Modern educational tools:
    a. Interactive whiteboard,
    b. Tablet,
    c. Multimedia lessons,
    d. Online platforms further increase students’ interest in subjects.

7. Teaching Through Real-Life Examples
   Children understand topics more easily when connected to real life.
   Example:

a. Mathematics: Using market prices as examples.
b. Native Language: Constructing sentences based on daily conversations.
c. Science: Collecting samples from nature.

8. Learning Environment and Psychological Comfort
   A classroom that is:

a. Bright,
b. Comfortable,
c. Aesthetically pleasing, and a teacher who is kind and attentive increases children’s desire to come to class.

Effective Methods for Stimulating Interest Among Students

1. Questioning Technique
   Interesting questions, puzzles, and logical riddles increase motivation.
2. Engaging Introduction
   Starting a lesson with a conversation, video, picture, or short game yields good results.
3. Mini-Projects
   Assigning small research tasks to students:
   a. A poster on the topic “My Family,”
   b. A presentation about “My Favorite Animal.”
   This strengthens their creativity and independence.
4. Collaborative Learning
   Working in pairs or dividing into small groups allows them to learn from each other.
5. Allowing Free Expression of Thought
   If a student can answer as they wish and explore on their own, their interest in learning increases.

MAIN PART

1. Effective Teaching Methods
   The following approaches are important for effective education in primary school:
   Interactive Lessons: Engaging students in active participation; e.g., Q&A sessions, role-playing games.
   Visual and Audio Materials: Explaining topics through diagrams, pictures, and videos.
   Practical Activities: Laboratory work, experiments, and game-based tasks.
2. Methods for Stimulating Interest

Games and Quizzes – make the learning process interesting.
Motivation System – creating motivation through praise, points, certificates.
Small Group Work – develops cooperation, idea exchange, and social skills.
Individual Approach – assigning tasks according to each student’s interests and abilities.

3. Pedagogical Recommendations
   Keep lessons short and dynamic; it’s difficult for young children to maintain focus for long.
   Connect every topic to real-life examples; students learn knowledge they can apply in their own lives.
   Create a positive environment; allow freedom from fear of mistakes and the opportunity to express opinions freely.
4. Pedagogical Approaches
   The teacher’s role is very important in effective primary education:
   Active Approach – Actively involving students in the lesson process, allowing them to ask questions and find answers.
   Differentiated Approach – Considering each child’s abilities, interests, and needs.
   Project-Based Method – Students learn topics through practice by creating small projects.
5. Interest-Stimulating Strategies
   Game Methods – Incorporating game elements in teaching knowledge (e.g., quizzes, role-playing, puzzles).
   Visual and Audio Materials – Explaining topics using pictures, videos, diagrams, and interactive boards.
   Motivation System – Encouragement tools like points, praise, certificates, “most active student of the day.”
   Practical Activities – Reinforcing knowledge through experiments and hands-on crafts.
6. Interactive Forms of Lessons
   Small Group Work – Children solve problems together and exchange ideas.
   Brainstorming – Gathering students’ ideas on a new topic.

Role-Playing – Performing scenes or character roles based on the topic.
Short Tests and Quizzes – Determining students’ knowledge level and increasing activity.

4. Modern Technologies
   Interactive Whiteboards and Tablets – Make lessons visual and interesting.
   Digital Games and Applications – Gamification (adding game elements) in learning knowledge.
   Videos and Animations – Help explain complex topics easily.
   Online Platforms – Allow maintaining student interest in distance learning as well.
5. Pedagogical Recommendations
   Keep lessons short and dynamic; primary school students cannot maintain attention for a long time.
   Connect every topic to real-life examples; students learn knowledge they can apply in their own lives.
   Create a positive environment; allow freedom from fear of mistakes and the opportunity to express opinions freely.
   When assessing students, consider not only the result but also the process.

CONCLUSION
Effective education in primary school is directly linked to stimulating students’ interest. Interactive methods, games, visual materials, and motivation systems make the educational process interesting and ensure the reinforcement of knowledge. The task of educators is to encourage the activity of each student and maintain their interest in
learning.

References

1. Jalolov, B. Boshlang‘ich sinflarda ta’lim metodikasi [Teaching Methodology in Primary School]. Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 2019.
2. Pirogova, L. Innovative Methods in Primary Education. Moscow: Prosveshchenie, 2017.
3. Smith, J. Engaging Young Learners: Techniques for Primary Schools. London: Routledge, 2020.
4. Rahmonov, A. O‘quvchilarda qiziqishni uyg‘otish va motivatsiya [Stimulating Interest and Motivation in Students]. Tashkent: Fan, 2021.
5. Brown, H. Active Learning in Early Education. New York: Springer, 2018.

Rear Window Anxiety Dream

We’ve been watching the unlikely 

couple a floor below us across an

alley in the city we are living in.

She is extremely well dressed and 

classy looking while he lies around

all day in filthy sweatpants and sports

team shirts drinking beer straight 

from the can while watching Classic

sporting events on ESPN as if they might

be live ones, rooting hard for teams

that have already lost and half

the players are traded, injured or dead.

He is especially exercised when he watches

prize fights that happened in the middle of 

the twentieth century. We’d like to tell him

to just look up the results on Google and save

himself all the aggravation that goes into

watching these guys pound the living shit 

out of each other, but what would

be the fun in that? I wonder if he tries

to place bets on the outcome of these matches

as he seems to be the kind of guy who will

bet on anything like how many red cars will 

drive past the apartment building in the next

hour. My wife says that’s ridiculous but I assure

you, a lot of money can be lost that way and

probably is. Not his money, of course. 

Which may account for all the yelling that 

goes on over there when the woman comes 

home after work. That and the fact their two kids

have been neglected, especially the younger

of the two, a boy, who seems to be covered head

to toe in some kind of grimy mess. The older

child, a girl, is six or so and misses most of

the action at a private school but still senses

the tension between her parents but knows it

is useless to intervene.

My wife speculates he might be the kind of

guy who would have access to the gun we need

for the assassination. I am against approaching 

him but she does anyway. While he thinks about

scoring one for us, she offers to take his kids

swimming at the central park lake. He says fine

and off they go. A while later they come back

but the boy is missing. “Where is Humpy?”

the father asks and the daughter says, “Oh, he

drowned. I tried to save him but it

was too late.” The father freaks out but 

the wife is unconcerned. Uses the opportunity

to grab the clicker and change the station.

Apparently, It’s all she has been thinking 

about for years.  

The father is inconsolable. 

The wife remains unconcerned, watching 

her shows. I say to my wife, “Maybe we 

misjudged those two.” My wife doesn’t seem

to care one way or another now that she 

has scored the assassination gun.

Reconnecting with an Old College Friend Anxiety Dream

All my attempts to reach

my college friend Bernard

were unsuccessful until

I found a number for a camp

North of Utica that only existed

in previous dreams.  I thought it was odd

that there was a phone listed for that camp

as it was too remote to have service.

Somehow, I reached him through a 

phone referral at a pay-by-the night-

hostel in Buffalo run by the Paris 

Review. Bernard was insistent we

meet him right away as they were

after him and what he had to tell me

was Top Secret.  I interpreted his

paranoia to his job working as a T agent 

even if had left that job over thirty years ago, 

Top Secret stuff never  goes out of style.  

Despite my skepticism about the urgency, 

I told him we’d be there as soon as we could 

which was likely to be  many hours from now 

as we were over  half a state away. 

Somehow, we made it to the Paris Review Hostel 

in record time, a little under an hour, and the helpful

desk clerk who looked like, and sounded 

like a clone of Alan Cumming, told us

he’d already left which I thought was 

unlikely as Bernard was missing a leg

and he hadn’t taken his customized

wheelchair.  

Since we were hungry, we decided to

check out Buffalo’s answer to Quincy Market

which was much shabbier and had way fewer

option than the one in Boston. The only

place that had anything remotely edible

was a beef place where we were turned away 

for service as we hadn’t ordered ahead of time.

Just as we were about to give up hope of

finding anything there was Bernard sitting

in a modified shopping cart. “Hurry,”

Bernard insisted, “we have to hurry before

everything closes.” Though it was only

One in the afternoon. I thought

stuff really closes early in Buffalo.

“Look,” Bernard said, in between bites of

a mixed deli meat hero, ”you are the only 

one I can trust to write this story.”

And it was a long story. Two heroes worth, 

at least, and he was still talking.

I didn’t see any way I was going to be able

to recreate what he was telling me as

I didn’t have anything to write on and my phone’s

battery was out of charge.  The more he talked,

the more I was worried, “Does this mean

they would be after me too?”

Laurie Anderson Anxiety Dream

“Everyone in the island was someone from TV

And everyone was saying, ‘Look at me, Look at me!’

Language is a virus.”

Maybe she was in my thoughts after

being signed up to follow her on Facebook 

or just because we were playing Home 

of the Brave, regardless, a mutual friend

assured them that I could access Boer War

funeral music for the requiem she was writing

celebrating a fallen hero.  Despite assuring 

everyone, I had no idea about anything to do

with the Boers, I was one of the wedding party

in rural Mercersburg, Pa, that was convening

in the cellar of the former president of

the prep school’s home. Laurie was about to 

marry a much younger, obnoxious dude the best

mam couldn’t stand and was warning her against.

I’m not sure why she valued my opinion as we’d

never met, but there I was under the asbestos 

wrapped steam heat pipes advising her against

the wedding. Trying to be diplomatic, I said

the prevailing opinion of the guy was that he 

was a creepy, obnoxious, self-involved, two-

faced narcissist but except for that everyone 

liked him.  The best man, who was now the groom,

concurred and it seemed as if the wedding was 

back on only with a different configuration of 

guests and participants. But first, we had to clean up

the grape juice the kids had spilled into the interior

of the hero’s coffin despite my warning them

to stay a good distance away. Luckily there was 

no body inside. Then we had to worry about 

Laurie’s potentially fatal operation on her lower 

extremities.  Everyone but the groom was in 

low spirits but he assured us all that everything 

would be fine now that we had dispensed 

with the inappropriate suitor. I didn’t think so. 

He was carried a gun.

Bardo State Anxiety Dream

I was disembodied in a Bardo

State not unlike the transition way station

in the Japanese movie, After Life.

Instead of being able to choose

a moment in time of extreme

happiness to spend eternity with,

I was about to be transmogrified

into a four-legged furry creature to be

named later. I asked one of the Eternal

Estate Angels if I could choose which

animal and they said, “No.” Empathically.

I asked the angel, who looked like an usher

at a louche movie theater, if I could talk

to someone in management but he assured me

it would be a waste of time.  

“Once it’s  decided, that’s it. No arguments.”

“So, who are these people?”

“The higher ups. Look, don’t worry about it.

It will seem strange at first but after awhile

it will seem normal and everything will be cool.”

While I was waiting for my animal to be

conceived, I floated around for a while, haunting

the places and the people I used to live with. 

Back in the waiting room, I watched a new cohort

of the recently deceased escorted into the Bardo

waiting area. Despite feeling free and easy like

a somnambulist in a waking dream, the constant

influx of new arrivals started to feel threatening

as if an overcrowding situation was inevitable.

I wandered down a shabby, white tile subway

station tunnel looking for a way out but all I could

find was a corridor of doors, all of them locked.

Einstein on the Beach Reconsidered:

a tone poem in five movements

1-

Remember walking in the sand listening

to the Shangri Las postulating theorems 

to the sea gulls, to the shore birds following

the patterns left behind in sand by the untied

laces of Albert’s red Chuck Taylor All Star high-tops

as if what was revealed there contained all

the answers to eternal riddles the avian species

have considered for eons.

2-

Nearby, on the lifeguard stands, counter-tenors

are practicing, their voices eliciting a cacophony

of disharmony that blends with the shrieking

of gulls and the drumming of the garbage men 

pounding the last remaining refuse from trash

cans lining the beach.

3-

A rhythmic chanting from the boardwalk is

a choral equivalent of surf music provided by

untrained voices of both sexes intoxicated

by experimental chemicals and malt liquor

Tall Boys left unattended by careless chaperones

attached to the Keep Kids Off Drugs annual dance.

4-

The unexpected introduction of air horns,

police sirens and spinning emergency lights

interrupts the final repetitive instrumental lines

as illegal bonfires begin to illuminate a crowded stage.

5-

In the vacuum created by arbitrary motion, 

gray matter and noise, the beach becomes 

a desert and the philosopher a stone.

2026

He hopes that

2026 

Will be kind.

Taylor Dibbert is a poet in Washington, DC. He’s author of, most recently, “On the Rocks.”

No need to worry

In my crescendo of joy travelling Switzerland

East and west coasts of United States of America

Surreal terrains of Norway, voyage in Baltic Sea

Fabulous Finland and many other countries

I captured all marvelous moments this world can offer

Why this glittering fountain does not sustain forever?

The culprit is an inherent fear that is overwhelming

Reminds me after every enjoyment, “This is evanescent”

Soon dark clouds of gloom cover me blind me

I shall have to leave all whatever good I may have

Death will come sooner or later 

Disconnect me cruelly from all achievements.

I find it unbecoming of a god incarnation or prophet

To die in diseases, murdered or drowned

After attaining trance and enlightenment,

They are unable to die with dignity

Choosing calm and peaceful departure from here

Hopelessly in the same way as the common people.

Advaita philosophy declares every human is free

Ignorance like ‘a lion cub in a flock of sheep’

We think ourselves different from the Self

Due to the dirt that blurs our vision, 

In reality, we are parts that form Paramatma

No power can undo this truth.

The accomplishments of material life

Is like the pleasure of swallowing a sweet

There is no need to rush for these

If one wants name and fame

Nothing wrong in it

One must remain determined to go for extinction.

2

Soaked in love

It is so difficult to reach 

To the bottom of her heart

Looks so deceptive

Angry face

Shouting to the top of voice

As though 

Will swallow me

At that very moment.

Curtain falls

The next scene-

I Get up in the morning

Working on my desk

Writing poems is 

My every day habit,

She comes to me silently

With a plateful of fresh fruits.

So beautiful a face she has

Crossed sixty-six years

Suddenly clouds cover

The eternal painter inserts defect,

Eager to remove the faults

She becomes pale

Nothing is working

I run from pillar to post.

Deep in her mind

She stores nectar

Outer layers camouflage

I cannot catch her,

When my love soaks

She appears to be as pearl

Garlands me with a necklace

Purely made out of her soul.

3

Reversal of a polluted river

Yamuna at Delhi 

                         Is turned into

A sewage open 

                        Drain full of froth

The river is vomiting

                        Like a bedridden patient

Infected by the

                        Human virus

Who dumps garbage

                        Organic wastes

Nobody dares

                        To touch its water.

A new government

                        Has come to power

After twenty-seven years

                        Of exile as the opposition

The river is being cleaned

                        Gigantic machines are at work

Day and night 

                        On war footing

River cruises are plying                         

                         Passengers enjoy breeze onboard

The banks are beautified

                         Flowers are smiling in the gardens.

4

Heart melting

Love is floating in the air

Like bubbles filled with colors

Used in celebrating Holi in India

Rich or poor everybody enjoys it

Emotions run high between lovers

Young or old nobody is left behind.

An old man with grey hair and beard

Is sitting with some vegetables

By the side of a road

For some money to meet hunger

Love comes flying to him

In the form of a young police officer.

He tells him to give all those

Spinach, coriander leaves

For which the old man charges him

Only fifty rupees 

The young man’s heart melts

Gives him three hundred fifty instead.

The old man who is hungry for food

But not at all for undue money

Refuses to take so much

The young officer calls himself his son

Requests him not to deprive of serving 

Tears roll down the cheeks.

5

Gruesome government

I deposited my gratuity money in a bank

Retired life, interest from it was important

Suddenly the bank stopped all transactions

The virus of financial scandal engulfed it.

The government intervened to make payment

To ninety-five percent customers

Who were vote bank 

I was left in the lurch.

My fault was I had a large sum of money there

It was blocked for many years without interest

Paying back a paltry amount in initial years thereafter

Keeping the large amounts for payment in final years.

I planned for a tour abroad

Paid the tour operator through the nose

Due to sudden sickness cancelled it

The government did not return GST I paid.

I published a book through a publisher

Paid them high cost of publication

Surprisingly the government charged huge GST

It was my first such book yet to earn royalty.

Sandip Saha won two awards from India, one from USA, was finalist in ‘Origami Poems Project ‘Best of Kindness Contest’, 2020 and Lengthy Poem Contest of Defenestrationism.net, April 2022, both USA, published six poetry collections, 177 poems in 59 journals in six countries- India, USA, UK, Australia, Romania and Mauritius.