“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”

James Baldwin

In this issue, we explore how people are influenced by their times and cultures, and how they learn from and engage with the thoughts of their forebears. Also, we acknowledge the wealth of wisdom and life lessons carried within each person due to the events through which they have lived.

Graciela Noemi Villaverde speaks to the inexorable and irrevocable passage of time.

Amit Shankar Saha writes of then and now, memory and future, remembrance and forgetting, universal human questions. Duane Vorhees’ poetry evokes change, thought, aging, and the creative process.

Stephen Jarrell Williams speaks to memory and the human experience. Eva Lianou Petropolou speaks to artists and authors’ learning from and being inspired by each other throughout the ages. Writer Rizal Tanjung offers up an existential analysis of Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poetry.

Giorgos Pratzigos interviews Konstantinos Fais on his artwork and advocacy for rediscovering Hercules and ancient Greek virtues. Muxlisa Khaytbayeva records her grandfather Jumaboy Allaberganov’s memories of knowing famed Uzbek author Omonboy Matjonov as a young adult and discusses Matjonov’s contributions to culture. Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamsodovna relates her scholarly and personal journey to understanding and illuminating Russian writer Alexandr Faynberg’s poetic legacy and its influence on Uzbek culture.

Kuziyeva Shakhrizoda highlights the Uzbek government’s investment in the nation’s youth and the incredible potential of their young adults. Otaboyeva Khushniya outlines how the psychology of early childhood can inform education. Su Yun collects and translates the work of Chinese elementary school students. O’tkirava Sevinch outlines strategies for learning Mandarin Chinese as a second language and for teaching the language in Uzbek schools. Olimboyeva Dilaferuz outlines verb conjugation rules in the Uzbek language.

Mashhura Farhodovna Joraqulova’s short story encourages students from low-income families to persevere with their education. Sevara Kuchkarova outlines strategies to motivate students to complete work at school. Rashidova Shaxrizoda Zarshidovna honors the life and work of a woman who mentored many of the girls at her school. Dilbar Aminova advocates for a balanced approach to screentime in young children’s lives. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva reflects on the value of her journalism education at an Uzbek university. Xo’jamiyorova Gulmira Abdusalomovna highlights the role of emerging and young poets in Uzbekistan’s national destiny.

Duane Vorhees compares the poetry of Phillis Wheatley and Nikki Giovanni as part of a broader comment on changing Black consciousness in the United States.

Cherise Barasch writes with respect for the hardworking people she observes digging into the earth in the heat. Yongbo Ma brings a poetic and scientific perspective to fog. Sayani Mukherjee contemplates peaceful natural scenes in a reverie. Priyanka Neogi compares accepting life’s changes to living through different seasons and times of day. David Sapp reflects on the transcendent experience of seeing a peacock. Dilnoza Islamova looks to nature’s beauty as an invitation to spiritual faith and practice. Maki Starfield sends up elegant reflections on weather and fruits in Thailand as Maja Milojkovic meditates on sunflowers, existence, and perseverance.

Brian Barbeito lets his mind wander to cosmological and existential places while walking near birds by a lake. Orinbayeva Dilfuza rejoices in the beauty of nature at springtime as Dilobar Maxmarejabova shares the emotional significance of tulips in her life. Don Bormon revels in the fun of rain at school. Mark Young renders up more of his fanciful “geographical” maps of Australian regions. Mathematics is a language we use to describe nature, and Timothee Bordenave discusses how his geometric studies inform his artwork. Mesfakus Salahin speaks to drought in Bangladesh in a meditation on accepting life and nature’s cycles.

Bruce Mundhenke urges humanity to turn away from hate towards love and acceptance. Vo Thi Nhu Mai illuminates the beauty and communicative power of the craft of poetry.

Leslie Lisbona sends up a childhood memory of having fun dancing to and figuring out rap lyrics. Marjona Baxtiyorovna Jorayeva celebrates sports and their fandoms and their power to bring enjoyment and bring people together.

Shomurotova Sevinchoy reflects on what it means to be a true friend. Munisa Ro’ziboyeva illuminates her appreciation for her mother’s care. Hamroyeva Shahinabonu Shavkatovna highlights the love and care both fathers and mothers have for their children. Rashidova Muallima offers up her love for her mother. Kamoliddin Hamidullah sends us a tender love poem. Thathanhally B. Shekara expresses his joy in romantic union with his beloved. Vo Thi Nhu Mai looks to wind as a metaphor for gentle connection among people.

Jim Meirose crafts a surreal piece in the language of fairy tales and dreams. Iduoze Abdulhafiz takes a lengthy journey through the subconscious with a wide selection of words. Dr. Maja Sekulic reviews Dr. Jernail S. Anand’s exploration of artificial intelligence, myth, and morality.

Kholmurodova outlines strategies to bring digital access and economic opportunities to the world’s rural women. Rakhimov Rakhmatullo outlines challenges and solutions for logistics technologies. Sa’dia Alisher outlines some benefits, problems, and challenges from modern digital technologies. Gulnora Rakhimjonovna Khomidova explores the educational potential of artificial intelligence.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand relates how, regardless of the tools we use to craft our work, restraint and discipline can serve as a creative force. Dr. Debabrata Maji highlights the power of perseverance and devotion. Azemina Krehic compares the care she has for her poetic works to the process of washing her clothes on a line. Hassan Mistura speaks to the journey of developing a healthy self concept. Surayyo Nosirova reminds us to let go of the illusion of more control than we have and to stay open to change.

Grant Guy offers up stage directions for absurdist theater, an artistic reaction to periods of rapid social change. Ahmed Miqdad speaks to the absurd persistence of normal life amid wartime. Mykyta Ryzhykh, in a similar vein, evokes the quest for queer love and sensuality among bombs and bullets.

Pat Doyne laments violent immigration enforcement overreach in Los Angeles. Otabayeva Khusniya reveals the deeply humane vision of Erkin Vahidov’s work Rebellion of Souls, a tribute to the memory of Nasrul Islam and other artists who died as a result of unjust persecution. Chimezie Ihekuna shares some of life’s paradoxes and urges nations and groups of people to move away from war as a solution to issues. Mahbub Alam also puts out a call for peace, remembering the many people lost to war. Boboqulova Durdona laments the many civilian deaths in Gaza.

Muslima Olimova reflects on surviving an unhappy marriage and urges families to welcome young brides and for women to carefully consider before marrying. J.J. Campbell speaks to the lingering effects of trauma on people and the tension between hope and disillusionment. Dr. Bindu Madhavi speaks to the inner battles many of us fight as Mirta Liliana Ramirez evokes the pain of loneliness.

Doug Hawley’s short story presents several characters representing a mix of lawful and roguish motives and actions. Taylor Dibbert’s poem lampoons the worldliness of a priest and the devotion it still inspires. Sarvinoz Sobirjonova Abdusharifova depicts the dual nature of humanity: kindness and cruelty.

Kelly Moyer uses vegetable humor to convey and navigate the experience of chronic illness. Alan Catlin frames evocative images with words, plumbing the imagined photos for meaning.

Mark Blickley, a combat veteran who finished education later in life, reflects on what he gained as a person and an artist from popular literature and reminds the “literary” crowd not to so easily dismiss popular writers.

Human

If the world deceives and lies,
It is the human who laughs, the human who cries.
Though sometimes faced with deep disgrace,
At times, with joy, the human’s face.

To one another, they bring such pain,
Yet never offer love’s refrain.
With tongues like daggers, sharp and sly,
They stab the heart, and pass it by.

Unable to see their faults so near,
The human becomes a river of tears.
Yet balm to wounds, and cure of woe,
Is love within the eyes aglow.

Envying one another’s share,
The true human lives with care.
In this place we call our fate,
Human once — and always great.

Sarvinoz Sobirjonovna Abdusharifova was born on January 20, 2004, in the village of Gullanbogʻ, Yangiarik district, Khorezm region. During her school years, she actively participated in various events and competitions. She won prestigious places in the district and regional stages of academic Olympiads. Additionally, she was a winner at both the district and city levels in poetry competitions. Currently, she is a third-year student at the Faculty of Philology and Arts of Urgench State University. Her academic articles have been published in journals such as Sharq Yulduzi, Bulletin of the Khorezm Mamun Academy, Language and Literature Education, as well as in various prestigious international journals and conferences. Her creative works have been featured in international journals and newspapers in Germany, France, and the USA, including Kenya Times, Diaspora, Times, and Classico Opene. She is the author of the poetry collection “The Word in the Heart” and the monograph “Artistic Interpretation of Omon Matjon’s Poetry.”

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION: A NEW ERA BEGINS

Introduction

In today’s modern world, technology is evolving rapidly. One of the most advanced and promising areas is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI refers to systems that can mimic human thinking, learning, and decision-making processes. Today, this technology is being widely used in many fields, including education, which is one of the most essential areas for development.

Main Part

What is Artificial Intelligence and how does it impact education?

Artificial Intelligence is a system of algorithms capable of analyzing large amounts of data, learning from it, and making data-driven decisions. In education, AI helps to identify students’ individual needs, provide personalized learning materials, and monitor academic progress effectively.

Achievements of AI in Education:

1. Personalized learning – AI allows the creation of lessons tailored to each student’s level and learning pace.

2. Automated assessment and analysis – Tests and assignments can be evaluated automatically, reducing teachers’ workload.

3. Virtual teachers and assistants – AI-based platforms and chatbots provide quick responses to students’ questions.

4. Support for students with disabilities – AI technologies help students with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments by offering accessible learning tools.

Advantages of AI Technologies

• Increases the effectiveness of education;

• Encourages independent learning among students;

• Gives teachers more time for creative and strategic teaching;

• Speeds up and systematizes the learning process.

Challenges and Considerations

However, implementing AI in education is not without its difficulties:

– Lack of adequate technical infrastructure;

– Low digital literacy among some educators;

– Data privacy and security concerns;

– Risk of losing the human touch in teaching.

Therefore, before integrating AI into the education system, proper preparation and training of qualified professionals are essential.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is a groundbreaking technology that has launched a new era in education. It enables the learning process to be more efficient, student-centered, and interactive. With the right approach, AI can become an invaluable assistant not only for students but also for teachers. There is no doubt that AI will become an integral part of future education systems.

Namangan District, School No. 22, Computer Science Teacher — Gulnora Rakhimjonovna Khomidova.

CLOTHESLINE IN THE SUN

Out in the garden, I tied the rope with firm knots,

saying this is where the sun falls best.

That pale blue line looked toward your window,

its blinds raised like watchful eyelids.

I brought out my cleanest poems in a woven basket,

and hung them—not laundry—into the warm, fragrant air.

Something stirred in my belly, thick as egg yolk;

I was hanging myself out there,

clipped beneath red clothespins…

Your windows closed their eyes.

Clouds gathered and groaned above my garden.

The poems were already soaked—

and I ran barefoot, unpinning verse by verse,

trying to save at least a line,

or that one word

the whole of life hangs on.

My Mother, My Mother…

My mother, my mother — my paradise,
My dearest one, my precious prize.
You are my greatest strength and grace,
My flower, my blossom — my warm embrace.

You are the one, my only guide,
With endless love you’re by my side.
Your face — a glimpse of heaven’s light,
Your words — they make my world so bright.

My mother, my mother, may smiles stay,
May joy surround you every day.
Your prayers — my shield, my dawn,
My mother, my mother — my forever sun!

Rashidova Muallima was born on March 28, 2013, in Qorako‘l district, Bukhara region. She is a student of class 5-A at School No. 20. She’s participated in numerous competitions and is the author of more than 20 poems. Her creative works have been featured in anthologies such as “The Youth of New Uzbekistan” and “The Destination of Purpose.   

A Hero of Our Time

To my mentor Shohida, who has empowered over 50,000 girls through Shine Academy…

What is joy? I ask myself anew—
Is it a victory, or just something true?
If someone asked me to describe delight,
Your face would rise before my sight.

A gentle smile, serene and kind,
Your words, in hearts, are deeply lined.
So pure, so honest—like a child,
You are joy, though so selfless and mild.

To every girl, your love runs deep,
A river of care, in silence it speaks.
To some, you are strength; to others, a dream,
A world of grace with a radiant gleam.

If I may speak the honest truth—
Shohida-sister, with boundless ruth,
Though life may have given you pain to bear,
You give girls joy beyond compare.

One day the world will know your name,
A Shohida who lit hope like flame.
A living example, brave and sincere,
A quiet hero we hold so dear

Rashidova Shaxrizoda Zarshidovna is a young writer from Qorako‘l district, Bukhara, Uzbekistan. She was born on October 31, 2010, and studies at School No. 20. Shaxrizoda is the author of several books, including The Magic of the Pen and Nafas. Her poems and stories have appeared in Ezgulik and Raven Cage magazines. She has won multiple district-level literary contests. Shaxrizoda leads the “Young Writers” Club and coordinates local youth initiatives. She also represents “Wekelet Community” in Uzbekistan. As a mentor, she has helped nearly 100 girls grow creatively. She is a member of the Writers’ Union of Argentina. Her work reflects a strong voice of her generation. 

Poem about the Sunflower

In the field where sky and earth meet,

stands the sunflower — alone, yet not lonely.

It seeks nothing but light,

constantly turning its face toward the horizon.

Its stem is strong and steady,

as if holding the silence of ages within.

Its leaves whisper secrets to the wind,

while roots intertwine deep into the soil.

It does not crave fame, nor attention,

only wishes to absorb every ray,

to be part of something greater —

that invisible conversation of light and life.

When the sun sets, it still stands,

with its head lifted toward the sky,

waiting for a new day, a new chance

to feel the warmth and to grow.

The sunflower is not just a flower,

but a symbol of existence —

an existence that follows the light,

regardless of the shadows that fall.