The magician, who cut off a rhinoceros’s horn and wore it on his head,
Borrowed a penguin’s wings to caress the texture of a green apple.
Click, he opens the door to the heart and steps inside.
Cut in half the time you have experienced and tap on its flank.
Dress each and every seed with imagination.
Lift the shade, as if invisible hours are opening their eyes one by one.
Pay heed to the mesmerizing silhouette from behind, and the tears in between.
The desert wind blows in, carving away the walls of the mind.
An occasional, unexpected intent—the hunger grows desperate.
Causing a stir at the center of life, the fallen apple’s shoulders tremble.
The magician secretly, stealthily covets
Dali’s art book hidden inside his hat.
On days when his neck stiffens from trying to soothe colliding tendons,
He stands Gala from the drawer upon a plate.
Shall we stir the hardening spring water with the rhinoceros’s horn?
Shall we borrow the magician’s hat and wear it for just ten months?
Who knows? On the first day of the New Year, in a major daily newspaper,
We might just read the smile of a ripe, red apple.
마술사는 모자를 쓰고
연명지
코뿔소의 뿔을 잘라 머리에 쓴 마술사
펭귄의 날개를 빌려와 풋 사과의 결을 매만지다
딸깍, 심장의 문을 열고 들어가
경험한 시간의 반을 잘라 측면을 두드려보세요
씨앗 하나 하나에 상상력을 입혀주세요
보이지 않는 시간이 하나 둘 눈 뜨듯이 그늘을 들어 올리세요
매혹적인 뒷태와 사이의 눈물에 유념하세요
사막의 바람이 불어와 마음의 벽을 깎아낸다
간간이 허를 찌르는 의도, 허기가 간절해진다
삶의 중심에서 소동을 부리다 떨어진 사과의 어깨가 떨린다
마술사는 몰래몰래 모자안에 숨겨논
달리의 화집에 눈독을 들여요
충돌하는 힘줄들을 말리느라 뒷골이 당기는 날에는
서랍 속 갈라를 접시위에 세우지요
코뿔소의 뿔로 굳어가는 샘물을 저어볼까요
마술사의 모자를 빌려와 열 달만 써볼까요
혹시 알아요 신년 첫날 중앙 일간지에
빨갛게 익은 사과의 미소를 읽을 수도
Profile
Poet Yeon Myeong-ji began her literary career in 2013 with the poetry collection 『Gashibi』, published in the Minerva Poetry Series.
Her published works include the poetry collections 『Sitting Like an Apple』 and 『Where would the House of the Sorry’ be? 』 the e-poetry collection 『Seventeen Marco Polos,』 and the travel essay 『Step by Step, Walking the Camino.』
She has received the Tolstoy Literary Award, the Homi Literary Award, the Cheongsong Gaekju Literary Award, and the Aviation Literary Award. In 2025, she was awarded the Bronze Prize in Poetry at the Literature Asia Awards.
Her poems have been translated and published in local languages in India, Pakistan, Kosovo, Italy, Egypt, the United States, and Belgium, Greece, UK, and Iraq.
MEMORIAL DAY 2026
I’ll feed you, house you, offer you a job—
but die for you? Give up my life? No way!
Who goes that far? Who sacrifices life?
Well, Jesus did. We thank him when we pray.
And one more category—saints or fools—
who put their bodies in the line of fire:
our military troops, young girls and boys
who fight our battles, hoping to retire
and live out normal lives-- with grandkids, peace,
and future, just like all the rest of us.
Instead, they’re killed. Statistics of a war
that weighs its gains against “acceptable loss.”
Yet those who die for causes simply trust
that martyrdom will make life’s wrongs more just.
Copyright 5/2026 Patricia Doyne
ODORS FROM THE EPSTEIN FILES
Trump watched as girl’s newborn was murdered and dumped in lake, Epstein document says. – LGBTQ Nation, May 21, 2026
I’m 13, but I’ve never been a child.
My uncle Jeffrey sold me to his friends,
and someone got me pregnant. Many men
made use of me. They liked their victims young.
Compliant. Scared. Too scared to sneer or shame
grown men who bully children. Hateful men.
And now, nine months are up. I’m racked with pain--
but soon my daughter gives triumphant cries.
My uncle grabs her. Kills her. Dumps my child
Into Lake Michigan, to be erased.
Another man looks on. “Apprentice” star.
He watched my uncle kill my newborn baby.
The FBI did nothing. I’m a whore,
and whores are things, not people. But my tale
is part of the enormous Epstein file
released today. The head of DOJ
said no one should believe my nasty smear.
Will POTUS lawyers keep him in the clear?
Copyright 5/2026 Patricia Doyne
Methods of Developing Linguistic Skills in Grades 5–6
Introduction
In modern language education, one of the primary objectives is to develop students’ linguistic competence, enabling them to understand language structures and use them effectively in communication. Grades 5–6 represent a crucial stage in this process, as students begin to acquire systematic knowledge of phonetics, vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. Developing linguistic skills at this level not only enhances language proficiency but also strengthens critical thinking, communication abilities, and overall academic performance. Therefore, teachers should employ innovative and effective methods to facilitate the formation of linguistic skills among learners.
Main Part
The Concept of Linguistic Skills
Linguistic skills refer to a learner’s ability to recognize, analyze, interpret, and appropriately use language units in both oral and written communication. These skills are developed through the integration of theoretical linguistic knowledge and practical language activities.
Methods of Developing Linguistic Skills
1. Analytical Exercises
Analytical exercises encourage students to examine language structures and identify their functions. Activities such as classifying parts of speech, analyzing sentence structures, and identifying grammatical patterns help students understand the nature of language and improve their analytical thinking.
2. Problem-Based Learning
Problem-based learning engages students in discovering language rules through inquiry and investigation. Teachers present linguistic problems or questions, and students work collaboratively to find solutions. This approach promotes independent thinking and deeper understanding of language concepts.
3. Interactive Teaching Methods
Interactive methods such as brainstorming, clustering, role-playing, concept mapping, and group discussions increase student participation and motivation. These techniques encourage active learning and help students apply linguistic knowledge in meaningful contexts.
4. Text-Based Learning
Working with texts is one of the most effective ways to develop linguistic skills. Students analyze vocabulary, grammar, and stylistic features within authentic texts. They also practice summarizing, retelling, and interpreting texts, which enhances both comprehension and language production skills.
5. Educational Games
Considering the age characteristics of 5–6-grade students, educational games play an important role in language learning. Activities such as word-building games, language competitions, puzzles, and vocabulary challenges make learning enjoyable while reinforcing linguistic concepts and skills.
6. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
The integration of digital technologies, multimedia presentations, online quizzes, and educational applications creates an engaging learning environment. ICT tools provide interactive opportunities for practicing linguistic concepts and support individualized learning experiences.
Assessment of Linguistic Skills
The assessment of linguistic skills should include various forms such as written assignments, oral presentations, tests, projects, and classroom participation. Effective assessment enables teachers to evaluate students’ ability to apply linguistic knowledge in practical situations and identify areas requiring further development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, developing linguistic skills in Grades 5–6 is an essential component of language education. The effective use of analytical exercises, problem-based learning, interactive methods, text-based activities, educational games, and information and communication technologies contributes significantly to students’ linguistic competence. These methods help learners acquire a deeper understanding of language structures, improve communication skills, and foster independent and critical thinking. As a result, students become more confident and proficient users of language, which supports their academic and personal growth.
About the Author
G‘iyosova Mohinur Yoqubjon qizi was born on June 16, 2001, in Namangan city, Namangan region, Uzbekistan. She completed her secondary education at School No. 1 in Namangan city. Later, she graduated from the Uzbek Language Department of Andijan State University, where she gained a strong academic foundation in linguistics and language teaching.
Currently, she is a second-year master’s student at Namangan State Pedagogical Institute, pursuing advanced studies in the field of education and language teaching. Her academic interests include modern teaching methodologies, linguistic competence development, language education, and innovative approaches to improving students’ communicative skills.
As a young researcher, Mohinur G‘iyosova actively participates in scientific and educational activities, contributing to the advancement of language teaching practices and pedagogical research. She is dedicated to exploring effective methods that enhance students’ learning outcomes and foster their intellectual development.
This morning, I bring forth the epitaph to be crafted on my forehead, bury me
I do not owe the air the right to take a breath and breathe out toxic words lined up on a queue for slaughter
one time or the other, I realized that I had dipped my finger in guilt and licked its broth, well-seasoned with my father’s alarm reminding me of my dynamic surname pulled out of the house built for nameless babies
father wraps guilt like a scarf around my neck choking my lungs from revisiting freedom. it urged me to die, die and die again
don’t resurrect on the third day if you are a woman
bury yourself
I die because everyone dies to me in the bid to open up the shadow of a new god
I die because father clocked 60 and 60 times I remember the death of the sun
I die because I lose my broth of guilt.
I die because I am a shameless woman
I die because the queue for slaughter ends with my throat
