Just walk the stones. I think it’s a nice path, and especially in lieu of the winter snow and ice and wind. See, they have gone over it with a Bobcat machine and ploughed the way. I think I even saw salt. It’s important. Like water or light or such. I go slow, slower than average. Think thoughts, whatever thoughts, and for a second because if the paver stones I remember that Cormac McCarthy said prostitution was not the oldest profession because the first thing anyone did was stonework, was laying a stone upon a stone.
What do I know though?
Continuing there is a bridge and a blackbird. The bird disappears and the bridge remains. Calm. It becomes for a time calm there. I think already that I will have to come back. Whatever I encounter after the first half, that initial twenty minutes or half-hour, is worth it. Another bridge and the off-path area is manageable then for people have walked it. Maybe the kind man in snowshoes, a few dog walkers, a couple simple friendly types who get fresh air and exercise…whatever the case, enough so that’s it’s compacted and not too rough.
I choose to go along and know that up some hills and then down some more, it will connect with the brick path again. Bricks are also known as ‘pavers,’ and they usually are laid on compacted limestone then sand is put atop and swept in. The sides often have cuts that are done with a proper machine and someone that knows what they are doing. Sometimes a ‘re-lay,’ is needed if water or just time shifts some stones. There are different designs beginning with a standard lay to more intricate patterns. Tera cotta or blue seem to be nice colours, the path then containing lots of blue and some grey. Around here beyond the path people choose just grey though. It’s not horrible, but lacks character and everything appears too uniform.
That’s the way I see it anyhow.
There is a stream, making a sound as the thawing water moves along. Then a winding way up the first hill, a straight way up another second and higher hill. From there much can be seen, and it’s bright and clean and open. I can hear car traffic in the far distance somewhere but the world is not inhabited by me then, which is a nice break, akin to a meditation or at least small spiritual sojourn.
We can’t all go to Bali or The Himalayas or The River Ganges.
There is a time from the outer world and the inner world both that dictates its halfway through and I that must begin heading back. That time comes near a bench I don’t sit on. I walk down and admire another bridge but take the longer way around, eventually entering onto the main path of pavers again. I remember that Eckhart Tolle mentioned somewhere that your mind will feel more at ease for what it’s worth, when you physically enter a manufactured set of lines and walls. This seems anathema or at least contradictory to the whole point of nature walking, of people forever having sought out mountains, deserts, pastoral plains and fields, river and stream, and the entirety of the surrounding oneself with the sanctuary of sanguine and even sacrosanct nature.
Go figure.
But, there is some weird truth to it. My feet on the pavers feel better and I’m glad to be back on an actual path. It just is what it is. I go around a big bend slowly and see nature but also tall hydro lines and neither startles or bothers me. It’s almost time to go to the final stretch to the vehicle and then home. It will be a success, for what it’s worth, and the worth is invisible to societal mores and distinctions but apparent to me. Why? Because I have moved and breathed fresh air and gotten if even vaguely, the beginning ideas for certain words or stories. Not everyone can be Cormac McCarthy, and the Tao itself mentions that they will laugh but it wouldn’t be the true Tao if they didn’t. Yes, the most one can do is sometimes walk the stones and write some poems, being as content as possible with oneself. If there is deep snow everywhere, try and find some pavers that have been cleared and follow them.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: The UN’s Role in Preventing Mass Atrocities
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza is one of the most harrowing tragedies of our time. Since October 2023, relentless bombardments, blockades, and mass displacements have turned Gaza into an open-air graveyard. Thousands of innocent Palestinians—many of them women and children—have been killed, while millions face starvation, disease, and psychological trauma. The systematic targeting of civilians, infrastructure, and medical facilities raises serious allegations of genocide under international law.
Yet, amid this devastation, the United Nations (UN)—an institution founded to prevent such atrocities—has largely remained a spectator, issuing resolutions that lack enforcement power. The situation in Gaza not only exposes the failures of global diplomacy but also questions the credibility of international institutions meant to safeguard human rights.
Genocide, as defined by the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), includes acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza—marked by indiscriminate bombings, mass killings, targeted starvation, and forced displacement—fits this definition.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has acknowledged that South Africa’s genocide case against Israel has merit, leading to a provisional ruling demanding Israel take steps to prevent genocidal acts. However, the killings have not stopped. Instead, the assault on Gaza has intensified, with humanitarian aid being blocked and civilian infrastructure being destroyed.
The UN was founded in the aftermath of World War-II to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. However, when it comes to Gaza, the UN has been unable to enforce its own mandates. Notwithstanding, history shows that the UN has, in certain cases, played a crucial role in stopping genocides and war crimes. From Bosnia to Rwanda, the UN has intervened—sometimes successfully, sometimes too late. The question today is: can the UN still fulfill its mandate and eventually stop the genocide in Gaza?
While the UN has often been criticized for inaction, there have been instances where it successfully played a role in halting genocidal violence. These examples provide lessons for Gaza.
Bosnia (1995): UN Peacekeeping and International Justice
During the Bosnian War, the UN initially failed to prevent the massacre of over 8,000 Bosniak people in Srebrenica. However, after global pressure, NATO—under a UN mandate—intervened with airstrikes, leading to the end of the war. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) later prosecuted those responsible, holding key figures accountable for war crimes and genocide.
Lesson for Gaza: The UN, despite its slow response, was able to rally international action against genocide. A similar decisive approach, including sanctions and military deterrence, could force Israel to halt its actions.
Rwanda (1994): A Late but Important Intervention
The Rwandan Genocide, where over 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered, remains one of the UN’s worst failures. However, after the genocide, the UN established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which successfully tried and convicted genocide perpetrators. The UN also played a role in rebuilding Rwanda, ensuring long-term stability.
Lesson for Gaza: Justice delayed is not justice denied. The UN must start preparing for accountability measures now, ensuring that those responsible for war crimes in Gaza face prosecution.
East Timor (1999): UN-Led Independence and Peacekeeping
When Indonesia’s military-backed militias unleashed violence in East Timor after its independence vote, the UN intervened with peacekeeping forces (INTERFET). The mission successfully stabilized the region, ending the violence and paving the way for East Timor’s full independence.
Lesson for Gaza: A UN-led peacekeeping mission, with support from the international community, could ensure the long-term protection of Palestinians and prevent future genocidal acts.
Why has the UN failed in Gaza so far? Despite these past successes, the UN has not been able to stop Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Several factors are responsible to this failure:
Security Council Paralysis: The UN Security Council (UNSC) is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. However, due to the veto power of permanent members, particularly the United States, resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza have been repeatedly blocked. The US, a staunch ally of Israel, has used its veto multiple times to shield Israel from international accountability. This has paralyzed the UN from taking decisive action, allowing the genocide to continue unchecked.
General Assembly’s Limited Power: Unlike the UNSC (United Nations Security Council), the UN General Assembly (UNGA) cannot enforce its resolutions. It has passed multiple resolutions condemning Israel’s actions and calling for a ceasefire, but these have had no impact on the ground. The lack of enforcement mechanisms renders the UNGA largely symbolic in this crisis.
Failure to Implement ICJ Rulings: The ICJ’s ruling on genocide prevention should have led to immediate global intervention. However, Israel has ignored the ruling, and its allies continue to supply it with weapons. The UN lacks the ability to ensure compliance with its own judicial system, further eroding its authority.
The Ineffectiveness of UN Agencies: UN agencies like UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) have been crucial in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. However, Israel and its allies have systematically undermined these efforts, with many countries suspending funding to UNRWA based on unverified allegations. This has worsened the humanitariancrisis, leaving millions of Gazans without food, water, and medical care.
The Gaza genocide exposes the double standards in global governance. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the international community responded with sanctions, military aid to Ukraine, and a strong diplomatic stance. In contrast, Israel’s actions in Gaza are met with muted criticism and continued military support from Western nations. This hypocrisy has further discredited the UN and weakened trust in international institutions. If genocide can occur in Gaza with impunity, what message does this send to other aggressors worldwide?
While the UN’s failures are glaring, the crisis in Gaza has mobilized global civil society, human rights organizations, and progressive governments. Here’s what must be done to end the genocide and restore the credibility of international institutions:
Reforming the UN Security Council: The UNSC’s structure, where five permanent members hold veto power, is outdated and undemocratic. Reforming this system is essential to ensure that no single nation can block humanitarianinterventions. Countries from the Global South, including Bangladesh, must push for a more balanced and representative international order.
Enforcing ICJ Rulings: If the ICJ has ruled that Israel must prevent genocide, there should be international mechanisms to enforce this decision. Sanctions, arms embargoes, and diplomatic isolation should be imposed on Israel until it complies with international law.
Strengthening the Role of the Global South: Western nations have failed to hold Israel accountable, but the Global South has shown increasing resistance to these double standards. Organizations like BRICS, the African Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must take the lead in pressuring the UN for decisive action. Bangladesh, as a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, should strengthen its diplomatic efforts in this regard.
Holding War Criminals Accountable: Israeli leaders responsible for war crimes should be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC). If justice is selective, international law loses its legitimacy. Civil society groups must continue documenting war crimes to ensure accountability in the future.
The genocide in Gaza is not just a humanitariancrisis—it is a test of humanity’s moral compass. If the UN fails to act, it risks losing its credibility as a guardian of peace and human rights. Past interventions in Bosnia, Rwanda, and East Timor show that the UN can stop genocide when there is political will.
Now, the world must demand that the UN does the same for Gaza. Sanctions, accountability measures, and a UN peacekeeping mission could help end the atrocities. If the UN remains silent, it will not only fail the people of Palestine but also set a dangerous precedent for future genocides worldwide.
Moreover, governments, civil society, and individuals must work together to demand an end to genocide, ensure accountability, and rebuild a world where international law is respected—not selectively enforced.
Gaza’s innocent children deserve to live. The people of Palestine deserve freedom. And the world deserves a United Nations that stands for justice—not power politics. The time for action is now. The UN must choose: uphold its founding principles or become an institution of empty words.
Emran Emon is an eminent South Asian writer, journalist and columnist. He can be reached at emoncolumnist@gmail.com
Simmering with strain. Fault lines beneath the strain.
Enclosed
Enclosed, we outlive our closeness. Beyond
the perpendicular pronoun. Warm we,
second person plural, a better answer
to the restaurant host’s “Just one?” The
hungry body needs to lose itself,
without strangling dangling participial
others thirsty for speakeasy taunts, as if
proximity meant all one, Alwun House,
a performance space in our western village
bloated with population. In twos, shucking
the status of MVP, a threnody
before the spotlight on one deemed ideal
for the role of icon according to
the ministry of prey, overcast
with envy to carry forward an urgent,
inextinguishable senseless oneness.
Recidivist
I’m on my way to taintthe glyphs on trees. Freeze frame light of day. Board the traipse-mobile and go away (I’m on my way). Cliffs splay clipboards at play. Way north of gerunding, God willing. Recidivist splay. Rebel against the gains on hilltops retrieved. A reprieve. Scope sequenced to fault the slow learn. Slow burn fallen (through). Who teaches you, the few. I wrap my head around the wrap around my head.
Trawling the score named evermore, free lit freeway, smell of hay
Underpainting
Braille hums
haptic heft, a fuse
lurking around
future romp. Pomp
and cirque-de-soleil.
Summer gardens
opaque with shine.
Toots Kinsky matte
finish. Surface gloss
gone tame. Outer
glass rough with
source code grains.
With / Draw / All
With.
Draw. All
morning.
Raw
mourning. A longing.
ensconced in
brother
broth once
fair-minded, now
un-
mended
sweat on brow.
Practiced
preach. Long-
sleeved feral.
skeet
shot blood
on window
missing
target by way
of cheap wheels.
Husbandry
Roller coast me close
to breeze viatical (remember
expectation. Bluebottle dit
dot (pairs sans need
(pared just enough
for early breath. Shaped
pear pearl lid plot
half
injurious day-
glow (run from
penury (slow
return to place-
based pain). Stain-
cropped (drum
plain page boy
buoys no sprite
Just spit
(split lip
Sheila E. Murphy. Appeared in Fortnightly Review, Poetry, Hanging Loose, others. Forthcoming: Escritoire (Lavender Ink). Permission to Relax (BlazeVOX Books, 2023). Gertrude Stein Poetry Award for Letters to Unfinished J. (Green Integer Press, 2003). Hay(ha)ku Book Prize for Reporting Live From You Know Where (Meritage Press, 2018).
Poet and essayist Abigail George, whom we’ve published many times, shares the fundraiser her book’s press has created for her. She’s seeking contributions for office supplies and resources to be able to serve as a speaker and advocate for others who have experienced trauma or deal with mental health issues.
Also, the Educational Bookshop in Jerusalem, a store that has the mission of peaceful dialogue and education, invites readers to donate new or gently used books (all genres) that have been meaningful to them, with a note enclosed for future readers about why the books were meaningful. (The books don’t have to be about peace or social justice or the Mideast, although they can be). Please send books here. US-based Interlink Publishing has also started a GoFundMe for the store.
We’re also having a presence at the Hayward Lit Hop festival this year, and we encourage everyone to attend this free, all-ages event! Many local writers will share their work and we will also host an open mic.
This month’s theme is Journeying Inward.
Lidia Popa seeks her true self, believing in the value of her quest. Samira Abdullahi acknowledges her scant resources and the obstacles before her, yet bravely forges ahead towards her life’s goals. Xavier Womack expresses determination to stay free of a relationship that has turned controlling and toxic.
Maurizio Brancaleoni crafts bilingual English/Italian introspective vignettes. Philip Butera reflects on noticing different types of flowers throughout his life, paralleling his different moods. Christina Chin of Malaysia and Paul Callus of Malta collaborate on haiku resplendent with action and sensory detail about the minutiae of human life, highlighting how even smaller thoughts matter.
Charitha Jammala’s mystical poetry probes the depths of the human mind and soul, celebrating our inner essence and integrity. In elegant poetry, Haroon Rashid reminds us to look inward to find joy and peace rather than expecting it from the outside world. Alex S. Johnson revels in the dreamscape of human consciousness in his expansive poem.
Beatriz Saavedra Gastelum probes the power of dreaming to explore human consciousness in Alfonso Reyes’ writing. Christina Chin and Uchechukwu Onyedikam collaborate on haiku capturing the delicacy and deliciousness of creative tension and human spiritual journeys. Fatima Anisa Ibrahim depicts the peace she finds upon sleeping, waking, and beginning a new day.
Stephen Jarrell Williams’ poetic cycle drums up a sense of urgency, evoking human mortality and spiritual quests. Peter Cherches speaks of time and memory, incidents that make us, small puny humans as we are, question all that we remember. Mykyta Ryzhykh renders the dissolution of language and identity through creative poems. Alaina Hammond probes the effect of present experiences to shift memory and identity in her drama, set at an art opening. J.K. Durick’s poems also address identity in a way, pointing out human experiences we face individually, yet share with many around the world.
Philip Butera’s lengthy poem explores existence, seduction, and morality through a lens of mutable personal identity and the archetypes of Greek mythology. Two literary critics, Dr. Selvin Vedamanickam and Grock, explore the struggle of individual people in a world that seems indifferent in Dr. Jernail S. Anand’s epic poem Geet: The Unsung Song of Eternity.
Bhagirath Choudhary’s piece honors and includes the feminine as well as the masculine in what it means to be human, and divine. Jacques Fleury, a Black man from Haiti, asserts his belonging to the universal human family regardless of racial distinctions.
Patrick Sweeney writes disconnected short pieces with an element of whimsy that explore our curiosities and obsessions. Duane Vorhees’ poetry revels in earthy sensuality and explores questions of personal identity, reality, and fantasy.
Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ images focus on fun and imagination in his images of children’s toys. Ochilova Ozoda Zufar shares a children’s story about travel, friendship, and new experiences. Abigail George reflects on her life’s trajectory, how circumstances made her the mother of words rather than human children.
Elan Barnehama’s short story places us back in our early twenties, when many of us were still making major life decisions. Still, many people past that age express similar sentiments. Tagrid Bou Merhi affirms the drive towards personal and artistic freedom. Anna Keiko reflects on how she has followed the call of poetry in her life. Chad Norman’s brash poetry celebrates the freedom to do and say and love as he wishes in his native Canada.
Doug Hawley relates his experiences in the natural vastness of mountainous and lesser-known eastern Oregon. Maja Herman Sekulic’s speakers lay exposed in the city, under the weight of human emotion as much as the heat of the sun and the relentlessness of the rain.
J.J. Campbell conveys regret, despair, and the lingering effects of a broken past. Mark Young’s poetry presents with wry humor dreams pursued and derailed. Susie Gharib’s work reflects the anxiety and discomfort of the human condition and her desire to find and choose peace. John Dorsey’s speakers seek various forms of comfort and stability.
Brian Barbeito reflects on the life and death of his beloved dog, Tessa. Taro Hokkyo’s short poems speak to grief and loss, ending on a note of regrowth.
David Sapp speaks to the lingering psychological impact of physical and mental loss during the American Civil War. Dennis Vannatta’s essay explores the wartime inspirations for some of Chopin’s music and compares that with his own Vietnam experience.
Fadwa Attia reviews Mohamed Sobhi’s new play “Fares Reveals the Hidden” which explores identity, homeland, and belonging. Dr. Kang Byeong-Cheol speaks to loneliness, nostalgia, and empathy.
Atabayeva Gulshan examines loneliness through the lens of Chekhov’s writings. RP Verlaine’s work posits speakers surrounded by maelstroms of feeling, unable to do more than watch. Dr. Kareem Abdullah reviews poet Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s work on the power of human emotion and the power of the individual to transcend it.
Nigar Nurulla Khalilova implores deities, and her fellow humans, for compassion towards struggling people. Eva Petropoulou Lianou misses human kindness and simple pleasantries of life.
Graciela Noemi Villaverde speaks to the physical coziness of true and long-term love. Isaac Aju writes of first love between a generous young man and a strong young woman who doesn’t feel conventionally feminine. Makhmasalayeva Jasmina Makhmashukurovna encourages love and respect for the wisdom of parents.
Sayani Mukherjee rests within a Romantic poet’s verdant natural dreamscape. Bekmirzayeva Aziza’s tale reminds us not to forget as we grow up that we can find happiness through simple pleasures and days in nature. Maja Milojkovic reminds us to care for the planet, asking us some hard questions in the process. Writer and literary critic Z.I. Mahmud compares Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in its critique of humanity’s quest to micromanage and control nature.
Idris Sheikh looks to the awakening and rebirth of Nigeria from poverty and violence. Joseph Ogbonna mourns the Ottoman Empire’s genocide of the Armenian people. Marjona Bahodirova’s story illustrates the pain and loss many women in Central Asia endure, due to class prejudice and intimate partner violence. Bill Tope’s short story explores the evolution of a formerly open-minded person into a bigot and the long-lasting harm that does to his family and ultimately, himself. Taylor Dibbert recollects an encounter with an aggressive and clueless neighbor as Bill Tope and Doug Hawley’s collaborative short story humorously addresses social misunderstandings accentuated by our society’s prejudices. Patricia Doyne’s poem laments political aggression, power grabs, and the rise of autocracy as Daniel De Culla laments the political danger posed to democracies by a culture of brash ignorance.
Shahnoza Ochildiyeva explores the impact of literature on the lives of characters in Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief. Even though books cannot save them from the Nazis, they consider literature worth the risk of their lives. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa calls on humanity to seek knowledge and cultural advancement in the pursuit of peace.
Tarane Turan Rahimli speaks to the burgeoning literary scene and cultural heritage of her native Azerbaijan. Alex Johnson’s poem celebrates the enduring literary legacy of Patti Smith and William S. Burroughs and the Beat generation. Malika Abdusamat suggests possibilities for the role of artificial intelligence in language learning. Grock outlines the work and career of Indian poet Dr. Jernail S. Anand and considers his originality and suitability for a Nobel prize.
Dr. Andrejana Dvornic, in a presentation at the Belgrade Book Festival, explores themes of love, longing, and loneliness in the works of Umid Najjari. Teacher Liu Xingli sends in poetry from the elementary school students of the Xiaohe Poetry Society in China’s Hunan Province, which explores themes of nature and society, love and compassion, and heroism and sacrifice.
Vernon Frazer plays with splashy words and images. Rizal Tanjung situates the paintings of Anna Keiko in the developing history of world art. Scott Holstad probes Husserl’s philosophical understanding of phenomena and being.
Norman J. Olson evokes the wonderment and curiosity we can experience when we look at art and history. Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photography honors the Spanish heritage of faith and craft. Erkin Vahidov reflects on Uzbekistan’s proud cultural heritage. Toxirova Ruxshona highlights advances in modern world modern medicine in her piece on diagnostics and treatment for a variety of skin diseases.
Bangladeshi writer Mahbub Alam expresses his respect and humility before God in his Ramadan poem. Jake Sheff draws on mythology and history as he memorializes his family members and other figures from the past. Nilufar Anvarova’s poem tells the story of an elder encouraging modern people to remember the past.
Dr. Lalit Mohan Sharma reviews Dr. Jernail Anand Singh’s epic work “From Siege to Salvation,” comparing the battles of the Mahabharata with the siege of Troy and affirming commonalities of our human experience. Cristina Deptula interviews Nigerian poet Uchechukwu Onyedikam about transcending cultural barriers through his international haiku collaborations.
We hope that this issue will draw you out to peek at the world from different cultural and generational vantage points, then pull you inward to consider the value and wonder of your own thoughts and psyche.
