ĐỪNG HỎI TẠI SAO
DO NOT ASK WHY

My country: Vietnam 

1
Đừng hỏi tại sao đông rét buốt
Giọt sương trên lá lắc lư chao
Cho phai vạt nắng hồn man mác
Da diết nỗi lòng trăng nhớ sao
2
Đừng hỏi tại sao người lữ khách
Cồn cào nỗi nhớ hàng dừa cao
Thì thầm lời sóng gởi lòng biến
Khao khát hồn quê tình ngọt ngào
3
Đừng hỏi tại sao em ngóng đợi
Giáo đường thánh lễ mùa No-en
Cho hồn tĩnh lặng vơi niềm nhớ
Đầm ấm tình yêu thêm chắc bền
4
Đừng hỏi tại sao mây lãng đãng
Trăm hoa đua sắc thắm vươn lên
Ong vờn bướm lượn, hương hoa tỏa
Vạn vật dường như nồng ấm lên
5
Đừng hỏi tại sao em ước vọng
Đời thôi những trái tim bên lề
Vô tâm hờ hững tình đồng loại
Ích kỷ tham lam giữa cõi mê
6
Đừng hỏi tại sao mùa gió bấc
Khi trời trở rét bão giông về
Xót xa áo mỏng kẻ nghèo khó
Buồn kiếp vô gia cư não nề.
7
Đừng hỏi tại sao em phấn khích
Yêu người càng thiết tha yêu đời
Làm sao giải nghĩa thật tường tận
Thấu cảm cuộc đời trải nghiệm rồi
8
Thiên luật quyện hòa trong vũ trụ
Con người dưới thế đâu xa xôi
Gieo nhân gặt quả như thiên định
Chân thiện ngày sau được phúc trời
9
Sống có cội nguồn có tổ quốc
Kính cha yêu mẹ quý tình thân
Niềm tin lý tưởng luôn kiên định
Hữu ích cho đời đâu muộn màng.
10
Luôn hỏi tại sao, không đáp lại
Mà sao chẳng chịu nhìn lên cao
Trên cao thiên chúa vẫn kêu gọi
Nhân loại nên ngày yêu quý nhau
*
DO NOT ASK WHY
Author: HONG NGOC CHAU
1
Do not ask why winter is freezing cold
Dew drops on leaves swing you know
Sunshine fades away among all the heart
Deep in your soul, the moon misses stars
2
Do not ask me why the traveler in mind
Nostalgia is deep, coconut trees are high
Words of waves whisper send to the sea
I desire a hometown nostalgia, you see
3
Do not ask why I have always waited
Church of Christmas is coming indeed
My quiet soul of Noel reduces nostalgia
The loving warmth is more durable over
4
Do not ask why the clouds are wandering
Hundred colorful flowers are so blooming
Bees and butterflies soar on scented flowers
The universe objects seem to be so warmer
5
Do not ask me why I am expecting in life
Life doesn’t have hearts on the sidelines
Heartless to ignore fellow human beings
Selfish and greedy among all the beings
6
Do not ask me why in the north wind season
As the weather turns cold, stormy in motion
Pitying the poor have no thin coats, you see
They are sad about homeless life, obviously
7
Do not ask me why I’m so excited
Love people, earnestly I love life
How can I explain this thoroughly?
I feel the life experiences already
8
Heaven’s law harmonizes the universe
The people in worldly life have no lover
To sow causes and reap effects as God’s law
You will be blessed in the future by the Lord
9
We must have our source and country
Respect our parents, do you see truly?
Ideal beliefs are always steadfast
For useful life, it hasn’t late at last
10
You always ask me why I don’t answer
Why don’t you look up high above over?
Above, God is still calling as ever
Humanity should love each other
*

Leave the Crook

Put down that shepherd’s crook,
you with the polished air.
Stop your circling,
your blind stumbles
out of the dream.

That stick you wave
at a flock of children,
making a holy vow
that only blooms
when your tragedy peaks.
You weave your cloak from a people’s faith,
stitching sunbeams to pretty lies.

When you’re lost in ecstasy,
the desert shows you its face
and I make it into dreams,
so you can offer a rose
to the era that never saw you born.

Nothing promises you anything.
You’re past the end.

No fantasy holds you up,
no color hides you.
You don’t need a hiding cap,
you need a helmet.
Your reflection has changed,
and being different has made you
a slippery, mercury question.
Oh, child of the Boundless.

_________________________________________________

Mohammed Al-Qaddafi Masoud

Translation Dr. Salwa Goda

Naked with Certainty

One nap-time,
she pulled back the curtains of her glare,
let her sadness go naked.
Layla doesn’t give mirrors a chance
to catch what’s alike and not alike.
She became one with the clear rain,
curled into laughter on the skyline,
she knew the wolf’s kiss was danger.

First to arrive, a knight
carrying baskets of myths,
wiping away alone-ness.
Oh, the running away of names from their names,
and the end of questions where they start.
I whispered in autumn’s ear,
“Hide from the seasons’ calm.”
Rain stitches the earth a shirt
for those naked with certainty.

Wheat of Words

Rain draws up
houses in the clouds,
chairs made of light.
Angels plow the night
of happiness.
They plant songs in
the brass threshing-floors,
beating the wheat of words.

Mohammed Al Gaddafi Masoud born in 1978 in Gharyan, Libya, holds a theater diploma from Tripoli’s Jamal Al-Din Al-Miladi Institute (2000) and is the author of several collections, including lyrical poetry (We Woke Up to Joy, 2006) and journalistic dialogues (My Dialogues with Them, 2008). Widely published across the Arab world, his work has been translated into numerous languages—English, Chinese, Spanish, Polish, French, Italian, and Albanian—and appeared in international print and online journals from Spain to Argentina. In 2024, he was selected as one of 72 global poets for an Italian-language anthology curated by Angela Costa, reflecting his broadening transnational literary presence.

Libyan poet Mohammed Gaddafi Masoud won second place in the fifth edition of the “Francesco Giampietri International Literary Prize” held in the historic city of Venafro, Italy. His poems have been selected for more than one international anthology in Italian, English, and Albanian.

_____________________________________________________

Translation by Dr. Salwa Goda

Exposure
For DLA

Unwilling to surrender to telegraphic communiqués of the heart,
I engage, instead, in the artifice of acceptable conversation—
Recounting an amusing anecdote, or rendering up some snatch of cultural arcana,
Ever hopeful to prolong your precious glance.

Content in contentment, precious slings and arrows,
Resolute in purpose.
Time measured in its works and days.

The chaos of you belies the static wisdom of the stars
And makes a mockery of grand design.
Your exquisite spiral of a soul,
Circumnavigating my sphere,
Confounds my geometric fate.

I can only sigh, exhausted by your velocity,
The sheer wondrousness of you,
And dispel ancient questions,
Putting aside Socratic notions of the heart
And conversational artifice at last.

Dianne Reeves Angel

www.dianneangel.com

THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC POLLUTION AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ITS RESOLUTION

1. Introduction

Nowadays, one of the most serious global ecological problems is the sharp increase in plastic waste and its negative impact on the environment. The persistence of plastic products in nature for hundreds of years without degradation poses a serious threat to soil, water bodies, and living organisms. Therefore, managing plastic waste, recycling it efficiently, and creating environmentally friendly (biodegradable) alternative materials are among the most pressing tasks of modern science and technology. The purpose of this article is to comparatively analyze modern technologies for plastic recycling and eco-friendly alternatives to them, as well as to study their advantages and disadvantages.

2. Modern Methods of Plastic Recycling

To reduce plastic waste and protect nature, mainly two primary methods of recycling are used:

Mechanical recycling: This is the most common method, where plastic containers and packages are collected, washed, shredded into small pieces (turned into granules), and melted down again to manufacture new items. However, the disadvantage of this method is that plastic loses its quality every time it is recycled and cannot be used an infinite number of times.

Chemical recycling: This is a more modern method that breaks down plastic into its most basic components (chemical substances) using special chemical processes. As a result, plastic is restored to a condition just like new without losing its quality. This method helps recycle even contaminated or mixed plastics.

3. Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic (Biodegradable Materials) Instead of merely recycling plastic waste, utilizing other eco-friendly materials that can replace them is also considered an important solution:

Bioplastics: These are materials derived not from ordinary petroleum products, but from plants (such as corn starch or sugarcane). Their biggest advantage is that when discarded into nature, they do not lie around for hundreds of years like ordinary plastic, but rather degrade on their own within a short period and blend into the soil.

Natural packaging materials: Using paper, wood fibers, or natural tools that decompose quickly in nature instead of single-use plastics in daily life also greatly helps preserve the environment.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, to solve the problem of plastic waste, a single method alone is not sufficient. For this, on the one hand, it is necessary to strengthen the recycling of existing plastics through mechanical and chemical methods, while on the other hand, transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives such as bioplastics in production is of vital importance. These measures will serve to keep nature clean and maintain ecological balance in the future

BALANCING STUDY AND WORK: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPACTS

While some young people prefer to combine studying with work, others choose to focus primarily on acquiring knowledge during their education. It is no secret to any of us that in today’s rapidly developing era, various discussions arise among the population regarding education. In this regard, while a part of the youth
studying emphasizes that combining education with labor activity is useful, another group of individuals concludes that the main focus during the educational period should be solely on acquiring knowledge. In reality, to what extent is it effective to combine knowledge acquisition with gaining experience?

Indeed, in our social society, individuals aiming to emphasize their careers point out several advantages of working while studying. First, a student or pupil gains the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice through working. Specifically, a student studying in the field of economics who works in a bank or small business tests the concepts learned in classes in real life. This further strengthens knowledge and helps perceive it not merely as bookish, but as life experience.

Second, working provides students with financial independence. Some students are limited to scholarships or funds coming from parents, and a job serves as an additional source of income, helping them meet their needs independently. As a result, they also learn economic responsibility. According to data from The College Board (USA), nearly 43 percent of American students choose to work during their studies because sole reliance on scholarships or family support is insufficient to cover all their expenses.

If we turn our attention to the other side of the coin, those who argue that there will be sufficient time to thoroughly master knowledge and further develop one’s future also have grounded arguments: first, working can hinder preparation for classes and negatively impact a student’s grades. Furthermore, in fields requiring extensive
time such as medicine or engineering, working has a high probability of leading to a decline in the quality of knowledge. If knowledge is not sufficiently solid, future opportunities may also be limited.

Likewise, harmonizing studying with work requires a great deal of effort and time, resulting in students facing fatigue and stress.
According to data from the American College Health Association, among students working alongside their studies, 61% complained of high levels of stress, and 45% of chronic fatigue.

Although both sides are argued based on strong facts, in my opinion, engaging in labor activity during the educational process can demonstrate its positive aspects. The reason is that skills such as time management, teamwork, communicating with clients, and a sense of responsibility are formed during the working process.

Instead of restricting work during the study period, I think it would be appropriate to place more emphasis on increasing experience in schools and colleges provided it does not interfere with classes.
As the saying goes, “The essence of a speech is the shortest path,” I believe that one should work outside of classes for the purpose of gaining experience, because during the working process, they meet future colleagues, mentors, or specialists and establish professional connections. After all, as the famous German businessman Ian
Johnson said: “Experience is the teacher of all things.

THE TRANSITION OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO DIGITAL FORMAT
In our country, which is taking steps towards national development, digital technologies, in particular the e-government system, are developing rapidly. It is no secret that public services are gradually shifting to a digital format. However, not everyone has the same attitude toward this system. While some public activists consider
such a system to be a matter of convenience and transparency, another group of people views it as a threat to personal privacy. In fact, which of these two views is more beneficial for our society?

Indeed, the digital government system is an innovative approach that meets the demands of modern times and provides broad opportunities for citizens. Its supporters emphasize several important advantages of this system.

First, public services are provided in a prompt and simplified manner. Processes such as applying, formalizing documents, or making various payments are now carried out online, without queues, and in a convenient format. Second, the digital system is becoming an effective tool in reducing corruption and ensuring transparency.
Because all data is recorded digitally, the ability to control increases. This reduces the human factor and prevents illegal situations. Furthermore, equal service access is created for all regions. Now, citizens living in remote areas can use the same services through the internet as city residents, which serves to strengthen social equality.

According to the latest data from the State Statistics Committee, the level of use of e-government services among the population in Uzbekistan in 2024 was 67 percent. The fact that 72 percent of them expressed satisfaction with the services and confirmed the efficiency of the system is proof of our point.

As the saying goes, “Every nation has its customs, everyone has their opinion,” those who view this system with caution are also putting forward their objections. On the one hand, the collection and storage of citizens’ personal data raise concerns. If information is not sufficiently protected, it can fall into the hands of malicious individuals. On the other hand, there is a risk of cyberattacks and technical failures. It shows that many digital systems around the world have been subjected to cyberattacks, and millions of people’s data have leaked onto the internet.

Along with this, citizens’ trust in their own data is low. Due to an insufficient level of digital literacy, people do not fully understand this system and use it with anxiety. A clear proof of this can be found in a study conducted in 2023, which showed that the share of the population aged 16–74 in European Union countries possessing at least basic digital skills was 54%.

In my opinion, although the digital government system has many positive aspects, it is also necessary to take into account concerns regarding security and privacy. In this regard, attention should be paid to further improving the system, protecting data, and increasing citizens’ trust. Thus, managing the e-government properly and securely can be the most optimal path for the future.

In conclusion, I am a supporter of the e-government system because it speeds up public services, increases transparency, and creates convenience for citizens. Of course, security issues are also important, but the positive aspects far outweigh them. As the famous scholar Alvin Toffler said: “The future begins today.”

We Ourselves Are to Blame

INTRODUCTION

I would like to start my speech with a question. Why are there more poor people than rich people? Why are there more unsuccessful people than successful ones? Why are there more unhappy people than happy ones? Have you ever thought about it? Why do children who struggle immensely and go hungry for days often become the
most generous and crisis-resistant rich people in the future, while the children of wealthy parents who have every condition and every wish granted either fail to become rich, or if they do, become miserly, greedy, and see their wealth go bankrupt in a very short time?

MAIN BODY
Imagine a newborn baby; the heart and mind of a newborn baby are like a blank sheet of paper. How to decorate it depends on the baby’s parents. There is at least one small child in each of your homes. Have you ever watched them? Even if there is a big problem or many shortcomings at home, that little child continues to play happily. They are only interested in being happy, playing, and laughing, right? But we adults, whenever we have a problem, we keep brooding over it, yet we never think about why that problem was given to us or what good things lie behind it. Let’s greet those problems with a smile, just like children do.

Have you ever tested what children do when their toys get lost? Why am I saying this? Toys are a part of children’s lives, just like the problems that trouble us. But when their toy is lost, they search for it, cry, and if they still cannot find it, they move on and make themselves happy by playing with other things. We adults cannot do that.

Actually, the fault does not lie with us, but with our parents who taught us to live this way—though I do not mean to blame them with this. As I said at the beginning of my speech, I mean that we should not teach such a lifestyle to newborns. When a problem comes to our children, we must teach them to face it with a smile, and when defeat comes, to view it not as a defeat, but as a tool that makes us even stronger.

Instead of whispering “you cannot do it” into their minds, we should actually instill the words “you are capable of anything.” We must not kill the innocence of their childhood, but let them grow and thrive. When problems arise, we must teach them not to feel distressed, but how to emerge stronger from that problem. The appearance of
a problem in your life does not mean plunging into sorrow and grief.

We must teach them to accept it as meaning “you are strong, do not stop striving.” It is not all about the problem itself, but how we accept it and how we act. I read in a book recently about its main character, an elderly person who taught at a large university. He contracted an illness that made it difficult for him to walk, causing him to fall down while walking. Yet, even if it meant relying on a cane, he would go for walks, and on his way out, he attended swimming every day. Even when the illness worsened to the point where he could no longer take off his clothes and needed a servant to help, he would still go swimming, and alongside these hardships, he never stopped teaching at the university. Perhaps you think he was forced to do so—no, he was not forced, but he did it because he refused to stay inactive in one place and live in sorrow, feeling depressed just because he was sick.

CONCLUSION
The main purpose and core message of my words is that our unending problems, our inability to become rich despite trying, our illnesses—in short, all kinds of problems—are perceived as if they will never pass or go away.

How our lives turn out depends on ourselves and how we accept our lives. In reality, we ourselves are to blame for all our problems