Essay from Ruxzara Adiliqizi

Light skinned woman standing in front of the Turkish crescent and star flag in a red stripe across a blue and green banner. She's got curly blonde hair and a blue jacket over a ruffly white blouse.
Ruxsara Adil

  XƏTRINNT OF MY LOVE

  Let me bend my love into your love,
  Let it not be based on the pleasure of my love,
  Let me give up on love, let me not hear,
  Don't let it be based on the pleasure of my love!

  Take away the ovary of my heart,
  Your capacity is abundant, remember me,
  Let it snow, rain, shine in the sun,
  Don't let it be based on the pleasure of my love!

  You are my hearth of hope, my trust,
  O poet to my life, I know the feeling,
  Everyday the wind blows into my soul,
  Don't let it be based on the pleasure of my love!

  Let me close your eyes, let me look at you,
  From the demand, you become bored, you become embroidered,
  My dear, let me be your blessing for life,
  Don't let it be based on the pleasure of my love!

  ISTURUM, MY OWN COUNTRY, WHERE I WAS BORN

  Yad, I have no eyes on Özzgən's soil,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.
  O I who turn back and forth in the land,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  I don't want grapes, hazelnuts, pomegranate vineyards,
  The heart desires the sky plateau, the mountain of shish,
  The land to which I speak, my shadow falls,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  Flowers would grow on my lawn,
  There the nightingale sang more loudly,
  My thighs would kiss my lips,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  Əsən mehi shallow pull telimə,
  Its origins are sometimes different,
  Waterfalls rose into my slice,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  At the end of the article, we would flee to the pasture,
  We had learned to bala-yaga, to ski,
  The tulip gave color to the cheeks,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  I was a mother, my mother was there too,
  My will was sensitive to my eyes,
  My prince would wash my feet,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  I was valuable in my hand, and in myself,
  That's why I said "homeland",
  Wherever I look, the sign is in my eye,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  Quickly turn away, let the son go to longing,
  My heart is in need of attention, compassion,
  I'm sorry, what's your name, fame,
  I want my own homeland where I was born.

  CARRYING THIS SPIRIT
               WE ARE NOT COLLAPSING A NATION

  Envər Pasha of our Turan army,
  Look at the power of his love,
  His love is across the seas, over the mountains,
  This spirituality is only Turkish!

  He gave great importance to the nation and the country,
  Joined in jihad, escaped from the flames,
  “Transformation as a victorious commander,
  Or let me be a martyr!” - choose your slogan!

  Time colliding in the room,
  The letter he wrote to Nacibé Sultan,
  Even though the sultan's heart was saddened at that moment,
  It has become a source of pride for a lifetime!

   “I love you, my praises
  Raise me with my job!”- he wrote,
  “Write the names of the villages in history,
  Martyrdom is a mark!” - wrote...

  “To protect our country from the enemy,
  Mustafa Kamala, possible help,
  The day that should be from him,
  “One dimension, my sons!”

  The one that comes to life before your eyes,
  He kissed her gentle fingers and left...
  The one that makes hearts happy when you remember it,
  He entrusted tomorrow to God...

  A mill carrying this spirit has collapsed,
  And your truth guides, the path they follow!
  It precipitates the oil, but it does not absorb much of it,
  As long as there is one mill and two states!

  He joined the Turan party,
  Now what kind of Pasha has arrived?
  The great men of Great Turkestan,
  Come on, Victory, our heads are high!



Rüxsarə Adilqızı (Həsənova) – Çəmbərək (Krasnoselo) rayon of Qərbi Azərbaijan, born in Qaraqaya, the secondary school in the Çaykənd city of the same region, in 1987, the current Baku State University. 

She graduated from a faculty of science and started his labor activities.  She received her doctorate of biological sciences in 1996, and her degree as an academic in 2005, and currently works as an assistant professor at BDU's Faculty of Ecology and Natural Sciences.  100 provinces of BDU (1919-2019) were deemed worthy of the Jubilee Medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the name of the "Giant of the XXI Century".

Member of the Azerbaijanis Writing Union, she is the author of the poetry books "Roads lead me to the land" (2012), "My beloved homeland award" (2021), "44 days that write history" (2021), "Mirror of my heart" (2023), in her poetry anthologies, She was featured in literary and literary magazines and was awarded with the "Qızıl Qələm" Media Award Laureate Diploma and the "Union of Turkish Peoples" medal of the "Çukurova International VII Turkish World Poetry and Music" festival.

She has a family, two sons and two daughters.

Poetry from Mark Young

Some Postwoman Poems

Today the post-
woman brought
me the riddle
of the Sphinx. I
walked out to
get it; but on
the way back 
tripped on the
packing tape
which had come
unwrapped in
transit & had 
to crawl like a 
baby the rest 
of the way. The 
ankle wasn't
broken, just 
sprained; but I'm 
using a walking 
stick to get around 
for the next few 
days. Feeling fine
otherwise. Now 
what was that
question again?

*

Today the post-
woman brought
me a satellite
navigation system 

with Bob Dylan
doing the voice-
overs. Worked
fine until we hit

Highway 61. Then 
it stopped giving 
directions & started 
asking me "where 

do I want the 
killings done?"

*

Today the post-
woman brought
me a sacrificial
pig. Looks as if
lamb, like most 
red meat these 
days, is too expen-
sive to be used 
as anything more 
than metaphor.

*

Today the post-
woman brought
me the shade of
Dylan Thomas

who stood in the
hallway & kept
on farting. Now I
know what was

meant by that
"when I was a 
windy boy" thing 
even though he got 

the tense wrong. 

*

Today the post-
woman brought
me a bridge. I'm

waiting for my 
ship to come in
so I can open it.



Poetry from Dr. Prasana Kumar

Middle aged South Asian man with reading glasses, a red shawl and brown patterned and buttoned vest over a white shirt. He's sitting on a couch with some books on a shelf behind him.
Dr. Kumar
VOICE OF SILENCE!

Silence has a voice; listen to it
Do go down the memory lane
My time still stands erect there
Silent are my awkward moments
My silent words I face everyday
So much pain and agony dominate
The sea water keeps dead silent 
Million hidden silences beneath 
There is a silent rise in every fall
Listen to utter silence sometimes.



THINGS REMAIN UNREAD! 

You tread this way everyday
I often meet you on your way
In silence we speak together
Feelings said but a few unsaid 
With a little shyness in your eyes 
And cherubic smile on your lips 
Some haughtiness in loving ire 
The butterfly and flower can't play 
You must have penned those thoughts 
Might have torn them apart many a time 
You're bashful in front of your friends 
Things of two hearts remain unread.

WHEN I BREATHE!

When I breathe none but you realize 
Every moment even if it is far away
You're mine ; can't think otherwise 
I know not how the moments 'll pass 
Miserable me ; life sans you all void 
I've come to the world for you only 
I'm leaving the whole world for you 
Clouds in the sky connect the door 
There is you in the sunny shade rains 
In the recommendations of the Lord 
Crazy me, crave to live &


EDGES OF MY MIND! 

How to tell you what you are to me 
We'll walk together to cross all hurdles
I 've come to you and I find myself lost 
Edges of mind 've had penalty of love 
Me standing alone in the world though 
All my nights are restless to see you 
If I don't see you ever,I 'll be nowhere 
My destination finds myself at yours 
Many miles I 've covered to fetch you 
How to tell you what you mean to me. 



Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai
(DOB 07/06/1973) is a passionate Indian Author-cum-poet while a tremendous lecturer of English by profession in the Ganjam district of Odisha.He is an accomplished source of inspiration for young generation of India .His free verse on Romantic and melancholic  poems appreciated by everyone. He belongs to a small typical village Nandiagada of Ganjam District,the state of Odisha.After schooling he studied intermediate and Graduated In Kabisurjya Baladev Vigyan Mahavidyalaya then M A in English from Berhampur University PhD in language and literature and D.Litt from Colombian poetic house from South America.He promotes his specific writings around the world literature and trades with multiple stems that are related to current issues based on his observation and experiences that needs urgent attention.He is an award winning writer who has achieved various laurels from the circle of writing worldwide.His free verse poems not only inspires young readers but also the ready of current time.His poetic symbol is right now inspiring others, some of which are appreciated by laurels of India and across the world. Many of his poems been translated in different Indian languages and got global appreciation. Lots of well wishes for his upcoming writings and success in future.He is an award winning poet author of many best seller books.Recently he is awarded Rabindra nath Tagore and Gujarat Sahitya Academy for the year 2022 from Motivational Strips . A gold medal from world union of poets France & winner of The Rahim Karim world literary prize 2023.The government of Odisha Higher Education Department appointed him as a president to Governing body of Padmashree Dr Ghanashyam Mishra Sanskrit Degree College, Kabisurjyanagar. Winner of " HYPERPOEM " GUNIESS WORLD RECORD 2023.  Recently he was awarded from SABDA literary Festival at Assam.



Poetry from Stephen Jarrell Williams

Old white man with grey hair and reading glasses and a grey tee shirt in front of a window with a houseplant.
Stephen Jarrell Williams
"How Long Till..."

How long do we hide
ourselves?

Do we ever come out
in the open?

Or are we just shades
in our own prison light?

I long for some truth in self,
don't you?

But with all my years learning
to be more than I am,
is there any way out?

Do I become
a boneless bore?

Can I stretch a few
rubber bands before they pop?

Gads,
this is ridiculous.

I think I'll quit for now.
See you tomorrow
when I run for president.



"The Dream Keeper"

Today I step out
to run the real race.

I hate weasels
with egos

Why can't people live
without telling lies?

I loved the first girl I ever kissed.
I know I was too young
to think of the future.

But are dreams really only dreams?



"It's Me Again"

One last song
under the full moon...

She was all I ever wanted.
More than I deserved.

But isn't that how it is?
At least in the beginning?

Poetry from Kristy Raines

White woman with short blonde hair and reading glasses in a black top.
Kristy Raines
Only Time Will Tell

Time is nothing that can be touched
It can only measure how long love lasts
Love can not be measured by a watch on a chain
For it is timeless and is a feeling that lives or dies
My love for you was born in my heart like a child
Painful at times but grew into something beautiful
Your gentleness never fails under any circumstance
And only you understand what this heart needed
I will hold your hand through every turn in life
from this moment in time to the next
For as long as the watch on the chain keeps ticking
Like the beats of our hearts, only time will tell
how long you should wait for me…




Things Two Hearts Left Unread

We walk the same road every day
You walking one way and I another
We need rarely to ever speak when we pass
because we can read each other’s looks
What is never said speaks the loudest
We know what is there, and what is not
You poke at me and I play along
I get silent and make you wonder if I am mad
We play this wicked game but laugh under our breaths
But we do complement each other like the butterfly and flower
I have written these feelings down many times
Although, many times have I had to rewrite them
I need not brag to any friends but keep quiet
about things that two hearts left unread.




I Will Now Tell You

I always want to be the blooming flower of
the glittering touch within your dreams
Like an illuminating fairy that enters the forest of your thoughts
Do not be bothered by the poems that now vanish
because beautiful thoughts of hope have now replaced
your hopeless hopes of sadness which used to plague you
Your river of love now flows in rhythm with mine
as joyous waves become like a fierce storm of passion between us
The hue of my form is like the blood that pumps through my veins
which I now use to write our eternal story of love.

The secretive story of two lovers forever tied together by fate.



Kristy Raines was born  in Oakland, CA, USA.  She is a poet, writer, author and advocate. She has five books getting ready to publish soon, one with a prominent poet from India  which will launch hopefully soon called, "I Cross my Heart from East to West", two fantasy books of her own called, "Rings, Things and Butterfly Wings" and "Princess and The Lion", an anthology of poems in English, "The Passion Within Me" and her autobiography called "My Very Anomalous Life." Kristy has received many literary awards for her unique style of writing.



Poetry from Alan Catlin

“Things Unintelligible but Understood”: 
lines from Wallace Stevens, a found poem

Consider the odd morphology of regret
Note the decline of music
The grapes are here and now
Starry voluptuary will be born
At least the number of people may there be fixed
There is no such thing as innocence in autumn
Machine within machine within machine
The cabinet of a man gone mad
No man shall see the end

 
Naturalized: Lines from Hala Alyan’s, The Moon Turns Back:
a found poem

He plays devil’s advocate.
May father plays soccer.
In dreams I am in Nevada.
Half-life in exile.
I’m not your side bitch.
Those fucking K-Mart towels when did we
	give them away?
I loved them.
Pink as slaughter.
You can’t put a corpse back together again.
I type all the metaphors I can.
I can’t keep pretending to love.

 
Patti Smith Photo Album #1

Mundane objects imbued 
with deep, personal meaning:

Bolano’s writing chair,
Hesse’s decrepit writing machine,

Virginia Woolf’s tarnished
walking stick,

Jim Carroll’s narrow, single bed,
Fred Smith’s recovered childhood toy;

all their owners gone. A woman
with a camera remembers.



		736-

Spy of the First Person. Patti Smith
and her day book. Sam’s Old KY home
Adirondack chairs on the back lawn
facing the hills. Empty now.
 
	737-

Patti Smith punk rock star or
stay at home mom. Surrealistic 
pillow maker or Rimbaud re-
incarnated. As a woman
Collector of memories. Just Us
Kids or a museum of dead things.
On the M Train. Or off.
Babel or Coral Beach. I. She.
Contains multitudes.

 
			Patti Smith Polaroid Sequence Nov/Dec

Pasolini Monument: two doves intertwined in stone
Genet’s A Man Contemplating Death on Mapplethorpe’s
	Birthday: A Still Life
Editing Sam Shepard’s last manuscript
A white horse head in Wales
Dylan Thomas’s grave with plain wooden cross
Rimbaud’s elaborate headstone
Sharing coffee with ghosts of Camus, Sartre, and Simone
	in the Gallimard garden
A solitary bird sings of the death of Proust
Jim Carroll’s well-thumbed Penguin paperback of Schulz’s
	Street of Crocodiles
The bound twig broom used to sweep dying leaves from
	Mishima’s grave
Sam Shepard’s Depression era Gibson
Puccini’s composition piano
Photo of Rosa Parks Dec 1, 1955
Joan Didion: pure writer
The guardian angel near the grave of Bertolt Brecht
Patti Smith at the interval contemplating Tosca:
	“ I have lived for art, for love.”
A letter in the hand of Emily Dickinson
Dante’s headstone
Zappa’s ‘Hot Rats’ album cover
Ralph Fiennes on the set of Coriolanus
The ruins of Hadrian’s library


	
After Reading Burchfield: December Moonrise, #8

Flat saucer shaped clouds in gray
blue sky are pocked by puncture wounds
shining bright as fallen stars or creatures
like birds of another species. Irradiated
seeds sprout plants that only bloom at
night. Moonrise over distant hills make 
the landscape more unreal than it already
seems to be.

		Blistered cones of light
			where the moon
		should be

Poetry from J.D. Nelson


the humans come out
& so do a few loud crows
after the snowstorm

—

tail end of winter
pretty warm in the sunlight
too cold in the shade

—

green buds have appeared
on Mom’s lilac hedge out front
first full day of spring

—

two deer & then three
in someone’s yard on Iris
missed the bus again

—

slept all day & night
I wake up past eleven
disoriented

—


bio/graf

J. D. Nelson’s poems have appeared in many publications, worldwide, since 2002. He is the author of eleven print chapbooks and e-books of poetry, including *purgatorio* (wlovolw, 2024). Nelson’s first full-length collection is *in ghostly onehead* (Post-Asemic Press, 2022). Visit his website, MadVerse.com, for more information and links to his published work. His haiku blog is at JDNelson.net. Nelson lives in Boulder, Colorado, USA.