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 *
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.
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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 journalsfrom 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.
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.
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.”
