Essay from Maftuna Yusupboyeva

Central Asian teen girl with long straight dark hair, brown eyes, and a ruffly pink blouse.
Karakalpak folk poet Berdak

Through this article, I would like to provide information about the life and work of the great poet of the Karakalpak people. Berdak is a poet, the founder of Karakalpak literature. 

First, he studied at a village school, then at a madrasa. Alisher deeply read the works of Navoi, Fuzuli, Makhtumquli and the Karakalpak poet Kunkhoja, and learned from them. He knew history and folklore well. The social life of the Karakalpak people in the 18th and 19th centuries was expressed in Berdak's lyrical poems and epics. He evaluates the events and social relations of his time as an intelligent poet. 

The ideas of equality, humanity, justice and patriotism are put forward in his works. In Berdak's works, the condition of the working people is the main theme ("It didn't happen", "Tax", "This year", "My life", etc.). The poet dreams of selfless fighters for the truth, for the happiness and future of the working masses ("For the people", "I need", etc.). 

The poet proudly sings about the heroes of the people in his historical works "Avlodlar", "Omongeldi", "Azadosbiy", "Ernazarbiy". Berdak's work "Generations" is a chronicle of historical events, the common events in the lives of the Karakalpak people and other Turkic peoples are recorded, and the legends about the origin of tribes and peoples are described. Berdak exposes the lies of some corrupt clergymen ("Better", "Like", etc.), defends women's rights, calls on young people to love their country, reach the heights of enlightenment ("To my son", "Don't be a fool", etc.).

 In his poetic observations and struggles for life, Berdaq dreamed of a happy life for working people. While thinking about making the people happy, Berdak asks God for help ("Help"), thinks about happiness ("I searched"), dreams of a just king ("Need"), hopes for the construction of a happy society. Berdak's work is close to the traditions of folk literature. He occupies the main position in the history of Karakalpak literature with the richness of his creativity and the ideological and artistic height of his works. 

Many of his works have been translated into Uzbek and other languages. The 170th anniversary of Berdak's birth was widely celebrated in Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan (1998). One of the avenues in the city of Tashkent was named "Berdaq" and a bust was installed. A bust of the poet was also installed in Bozatov, the birthplace of the poet (1998). In the city of Nukus, a statue was dedicated to him, a musical drama theater, a street and a school were named after Berdak.

AUTHOR: MAFTUNA YUSUPBOYEVA, UZBEKISTAN.


Poetry from Sayani Mukherjee

Village

A lonely cottage by the river wall
The sun scooped daisy under my beige wall
A pointed facade a long overturn over there
To mend and bask the town Meadows
As I lay dipping in the river 
I hear cascades over my rimmed lens
A lovely blossom it was, it lied open dust
The moonbeamed sun is lowly now
To hung the home grown lilies
The blue painted carpenter singed a choir
A thousand lullabyed biddings
For the village was aglow in the pure love. 

Poetry from Marjonabonu Xushvaqtova

Two Central Asian teen girls in white blouses in a room with a wooden floor and small table. One has braids, the other has her hair in a bun. The one in the back holds red and pink flowers.

I LOVE THE BOOK
A piece of my life 

During my graduation, I loved and read the books about my major. My first goal was to become a student as soon as possible. My goal came true in September 2022. I was recommended for studentship on the basis of Grand. This is a gift for my 18th spring! What is the taste? I and my family were very happy. Why, my sister joined me in crying, that is, my sister and I were classmates. But for some reason I stopped crying because I started crying. Because I got a phone and spent a lot of time on social networks. My work and crying decreased significantly. Instead of reading a book, I picked up the phone. 

Since the beginning of the session in my studies, I have completed my specialty subjects with excellent grades. I thought that it was definitely my fault that I didn't get a book in my hand soon, and I felt a little depressed. There was no use in thinking about it now. Ehhh... it was all my fault. As they say that the last regret is your enemy, I also regretted my actions, but it was too late. I was slightly behind my peers in terms of crying. 

In the summer of 2023, I realized everything about the song. Now I'm in my 2nd year, I'm 19 years old, I've grown up a lot, my thinking and outlook have expanded. Before, I used to save money for this and that, but now, as the amount of money I am saving is enough for how many books, I dream about whether I will be able to get the book I like. My biggest realization in my 19 years of life is this... I LOVE BOOKS! ⁰¹·⁰⁹·²⁰²³·

✍️Ⓜ️ #Marjonabonu Khushvaktova

Poetry from Azemina Krehic

Young white woman with long brown hair sits beside some tree trunks on the edge of a pond and turns to face the camera. She's wearing a short sleeved blacktop and black pants.
Azemina Krehic
LIVING DEAD TAPESTRY
 
Bosnian mothers have been giving birth to daughters for generations 
which keep away from the lustful and smelly bodies of the enemy. 
And they give birth to daughters, 
who are thrown away into the swollen waters, 
due to fear from the maddened eyes of their fathers. 
So again during a lunar eclipse, 
in the deepest layers of the night Bosnian daughters, 
on the banks of Bukovica, 
they weave a handkerchief for a loved one, 
while prayers are boiling from the lips: 
The stars will write a better destiny for us then when we leave this world.

Azemina Krehić was born on October 14, 1992 in Metković, Republic of Croatia. Winner of several international awards for poetry, including: Award of university professors in Trieste, 2019.,„Mak Dizdar“ award, 2020. Award of the Publishing Foundation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2021. „Fra Martin Nedić“ Award, 2022. She is represented in several international anthologies of poetry.


Synchronized Chaos Mid-October 2024: The Shared Human Imagination

A human head rising out of the ground with a large medieval castle and trees growing out of it. Trees, rocks, and a lake below, clouds and sunset/sunrise above.
Image c/o Circe Denyer

Judge Santiago Burdon offers his new collection A Charlatan’s Aphorisms for review. Please contact us if you’re interested and we’ll put you in touch with him for a copy.

This is a Best of Collection of both past and new poetry by Judge Santiago Burdon. They were selected by dedicated readers and past publishers. Some have appeared in his books “Not Real Poetry” and “Tequilas Bad Advice Poetry With the Worm.” Judge Santiago Burdon’s poetry is a sophisticated slap in the face. The imagery induces you to clear your throat and shift your weight from one side to the other. Santiago doesn’t waste his words in an attempt to make you comfortable. As a poet he delivers defined grit and structured devastation. He speaks in the language of gasoline fumes and stale cigarette smoke. Always honest and fearless, never apologizing. Know that I am a fan.”

(Jack in the box popping out on the cover of Santiago’s book)

Now for our second October issue, The Shared Human Imagination. In this issue, we look to and draw upon our own creativity and love and that of the many who came before us.

Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa reflects on life’s complexity and on the overlap between poetry and music. J.J. Campbell’s curmudgeonly poetry explores age, loneliness, music and regret. Murrodillayeva Mohinur mourns her rejection by false friends as Ilhomova Mohichehra celebrates the refuge she finds in her dreams. Umida Jonibekova writes eloquently of clouds and rain.

Diana Magallon crafts visual poetic pieces on the movement of the ocean. Dilnura Qurolova highlights the importance of ecology and environmental awareness. Brian Barbeito probes the worlds within worlds in out-of-the-way corners within nature.

Raquel Barbeito’s visual art stylizes nature-based images. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography presents images of cultivation, humans carefully sharing space with and working with the natural world.

Angled-up image of a green pair of tomatoes growing on a stalk near a rake on a sunny day.
Image c/o Charles Rondeau

Ilhomova Mohichehra revels in the natural and cultural beauty of her Uzbek homeland and also her native region of Zarafshan. Nodira Jorayeva celebrates Uzbekistan’s rich and noble history as Mahliyo Sunnatullayeva reflects on the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. Rajarbona Sarvinoz looks to ancient Uzbekistan, outlining Central Asian historical leader Amir Temur’s aqueduct engineering. K.C. Fontaine relishes the rich Latin culture of Chicago’s Logan Square.

Otayeva Dinora highlights the dignity and importance of the teaching profession. Rayhona Sobirjonova offers up praise for a respected teacher as Saydinqulova Elenora Olimovna presents solid life advice in the form of a letter to a friend and classmate. Barnoxon Ruxieva celebrates Uzbekistan’s well-developed education system, in particular its Barkamol Avlod children’s schools.

Bardiyeva Dilnura evokes the poetic beauty of the Uzbek language. Charos Toshpulatova outlines the importance and unique value of sign language. Abduvahidova Farangiz compares and contrasts physical books and e-books. Nathan Anderson describes the finely crafted musical language of Sanjeev Sethi’s poetry collection Legato without a lisp.

In a piece of literary analysis, Z.I. Mahmud discusses how Philip Larkin’s poem Whitsun Weddings depicts social and ecological changes in England after the First World War.

Mark Young probes an imagined world in a fresh set of his “geographies,” digitally altered photos integrated with visual art. J.D. Nelson peers at the edges of his world through a fresh set of monostichs. Jim Meirose sends up a quirky story on pleasure and its aftermath. Jake Cosmos Aller depicts a fanciful wild night whirling and drinking through the solar system.

Stylized white flowers with large ragged petals and a yellow center. Graceful translucent curves throughout the work.
Image c/o Omar Sahel

Fhen M. speculates on how the element of mystery attracts us to Magritte’s paintings. Soren Sorensen shares a sunset image and a metallic melting clock, perhaps Dali-inspired.

Stephen Jarrell Williams sends in gentle vignettes of hope and faith while Mahbub Alam describes love as one of humanity’s lofty aspirations.

Mesfakus Salahin considers his psychological complexity and fallibility in light of a great love that leaves him humbled. Duane Vorhees reflects on memory, love, and the ironies of life. Lan Qyqualla draws on history and memory in his poetic vignettes of love and connection. Ivan Pozzoni orates in English and Italian on human history, love, beauty, and tragedy.

Michael Robinson speaks to the peace he found through a relationship with Jesus.

Xavier Womack offers love and respect to a spiritual mother figure embracing the world. Leslie Lisbona reflects on the death of her mother and the empathy she finds through a classic novel and the broader human imagination.

Woman with a ponytail of indeterminate race (silhouetted) reading a book by the ocean on a pier. Sun shines through clouds at sunset or sunrise.
Image c/o Mohamed Mahmoud Hassan

Rukshona Rasulova celebrates her deceased grandmother’s long and loving life as Murrodillayeva Mohinur contemplates her mother’s steady love. Maknuna Oblaqulova honors her parents and their love. Iroda Abdusamiyeva mourns her deceased grandmother and celebrates her life. Orinbaeva Lalezar Azadbay reflects on losses in her life, especially her dearly departed parents. Taylor Dibbert reflects on his deep love for his departed dog.

Holy Henry Dasere laments some universal struggles of young womanhood as Graciela Noemi Villaverde highlights women’s determined struggle for equality and safety. Hilola Abdullayeva discusses ways to psychologically support people recently released from jail and prison.

A. Iwasa reviews activist and anti-fascist professor Josh Fernandez’ memoir The Hands That Crafted the Bomb as an exploration of how to take youthful brash exuberance into adulthood. Dr. Jernail S. Anand warns us about the danger of words to ignite hatred and violence, how the computer keyboard in the wrong hands can be more dangerous than a bomb.

Ahmad Al-Khatat’s poetry evokes sorrow over the loss of love and human experience as well as life in wartime. David Sapp speaks to how ordinary people react to global tragedies as Alexander Kabishev continues his grisly tales of the brutality Russians suffered during the siege of Leningrad. J.K. Durick explores new poetic ways the world could end.

Eva Petropolou encourages the world to choose peace and tolerance as Daniel De Culla urges the world’s people to end the shameful tradition of hate. Mykyta Ryzhykh laments environmental destruction, war, and a personal heartbreak in his poetry. Pat Doyne pokes fun at Donald Trump’s style and ethics in her poem of warning.

Man of indeterminate race and light skin in a business suit stands with his back to us in front of two paths on a paved road. There's a hillside and tree, leafy and green on one side and black and white and barren on the other. Moon in the top in both photos, an eagle flies above straddling the photos as the man does.
Image c/o Digital Media

Jacques Fleury urges us to get beyond our fear and welcome the “other,” those unlike us. Bill Tope’s poems highlight the pain children went through before we understood learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

Childhood is a time of adventure and wonderment. Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photos show a small child experiencing new spaces: a ship preserved on land with a carved mermaid on the prow, a park train with a red caboose.

As we grow, we try new things, sometimes get disappointed, learn, and move forward. Panijeva Dilnavo Shukurvna celebrates the youth of Central Asia and expresses her wish for her generation to thrive and triumph. Rukhshona Rasulova urges brave and dedicated work towards our goals. Orzigul Sherova highlights the importance of motivation in reaching one’s goals. Alex Stolis’ poems draw on addiction as a motif and speak to waiting, hoping, and being stuck.

Dilbar Koldoshova Nuraliyevna’s poetic speaker reflects on how her heart and intentions were pure, even if her goals did not work out.

Maja Milojkovic encourages us at any age to embrace blessings in our lives, with the understanding that they are temporary.

We hope that this issue will be thought-provoking and a blessing in your life.

Essay from Dr. Jernail S. Anand

Older seated South Asian man in a purple turban and purple suit.

WORLD PEACE AND THE ANATOMY OF TERROR

“When we have words, why come to swords?” – Anand

Terror is generally assumed to be a sect which writes the word  ‘world’ in fire and treats it with bombs. A faith which is practised by a few people who feel they have been maltreated by the majority. It is a way of taking on the world with a fiery might, and force the  world to consider what wrong they have committed. It is giving the civilization a turn to the right by blasting the left side. 

THE SECTOR OF PEACE

There are a large number of  people in the world who really believe in peace and tranquillity. These are the people who have imbibed the essence of their respective religions. Who believe in their job, and in comparative peace which means, living in co-existence. Because the number of such people is far greater than those who want to destabilize the world and destroy it, for their injured merit, world peace has a chance, and it is still a veritable movement. 

Between these two extremes, is a third section of world society, who are not actively engaged in acts of terror, but who also do not believe in a happy world. They do not use bombs, but they take recourse to philosophy, or no philosophy, and these are the people who harbour hatred for peace and good will, and who keep on harping on a world on the boil which they think is the best. They have words charged with high hyperbole which do not inspire, but instigate mindless people to act. They throw words which fall on the world society as bombs. They have no faith in the multi-world that we are living in. 

The reality of the world is that no single sect or religion can claim to possess  ultimate truth. Each religion and each Prophet was right in his own right. He talked of God, of godliness, of goodness and co-existence. But they turned belligerent and took to swords when their followers wanted to multiply their power, because power lay in the increasing number of followers.  Then, they fought the unbelievers, vanquished them, and converted them, or the powerful happened to eliminate the less powerful.

This world has been like this.  If not terror, love for violence runs in our arteries. And what really surprises gods is not when we are talking of violence, but they are shaken with disbelief when they see us talking of peace. They know, we are not so much religious as political, and the most religious of us are called ‘statesmen’ in a high flown language.   

I was talking of the third sector in the world population who have a blood stream in which violence remains at the subterranean level, and surfaces very rarely yet, there is no possibility it can be eliminated altogether. These are the people who are the real leaders of the terror-mongers in the world. These are the people who phrase words and sentences in such a way, that they appear to be talking of peace, but actually, they end up stoking fires of distrust and mutual acrimony. They throw words, which the front runners, turn into bombs. In fact, the these are the people who justify what the real terror groups are doing. They are not spreading hatred. They are acting it out. They do not spread the idea of killings. They actually inflict killings.

They are the end-users of the ideas of ultimate acrimony between nations, groups and individuals. We should not forget that no action is self-created, or complete in itself. Every action is rooted in society. There are a huge majority of people who support what they are doing. If the entire world enounces terror, it would be finished in no time. The problem with the world is there are huge chunks of people, the third sector, as I mentioned above, who utter such words and phrases and coin slogans, which boil the blood of the trigger-happy youth. Add to it the religious massage, of their minds, which tells them, they are acting at the behest of gods. 

THE INTELLECTUAL CORE 

The most dangerous segment of terror is not those who inflict it, they are not many, and the world governments are capable of keeping them contained and constrained. That is why, terror activities are few and far between. But what is constantly happening is the role of third sector of society which keeps the pot boiling.

They are dignified members of social groups, mostly politically empowered and religiously well placed. They are the conduits of the killer philosophies. They are in every religion, in every society, and every sect, and their voice carries weight. If we want to fight terror, we should understand that bombs and swords are not terror. Nor the hands that throw grenades. The real terrorists are those who make these hands move, and these minds astir with base passions and dingy dreams of blood and gore. Gods have nothing to do with such acts. They do not patronise anyone who sets out to kill people or devastate homes. Those who organize mass killings are people who have lost their way. And, the real people who are responsible for this trade of terror are those who direct their steps, who tell the way, and who call it officially correct. Rather than religious, terror is a political game, and the philosophers of terror use the lesser mortals as cat’s paw.

To combat terror, strong arm methods of prevention are already in position. But I think they need to be disabled at the philosophical level also. We need a movement that believes in transforming the extreme philosophies to look at things more rationally so that the precious lives of those who are killed in encounters could be saved. When we have words, why come to swords? 

Author: Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, President of the International Academy of Ethics, is the author of 167 books in English poetry, fiction, non-fiction, philosophy, and spirituality. He was awarded Charter of Morava, the great Award by Serbian Writers Association, Belgrade, and his name was engraved on the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. The Academy of Arts and philosophical Sciences of Bari  [Italy] honored him with the award of  Seneca Award Laudis Charta. Recently, he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy [Honoris Causa] by the University of Engg and Management, Jaipur. Recently, he organized an International Conference on Contemporary Ethics at Chandigarh. His most phenomenal book is Lustus:The Prince of Darkness [first epic of the Mahkaal Trilogy]. [Email: anandjs55@yahoo.com Mobile: 919876652401[Whatsapp] [ethicsacademy.co.in]Link Bibliography:https://atunispoetry.com/2023/12/08/indian-author-dr-jernail-s-anand-honoured-at-the-60th-belgrade-international-meeting-of-writers/https://sites.google.com/view/bibliography-dr-jernal-singh/home

Poetry from K.C. Fontaine

Logan Square

bricks & cement

implement

casitas y bodeguitas;

scents of the Latin diaspora –

olfactory Cuban paintings

and gathering of elders

at Café con Leche;

rice & beans & empanadas

salsa y reggaeton jukebox,

santeria summonings.