I left my classes and hurried home, For I missed my paradise so much. With longing in my eyes I opened the door, But found my mother in the cotton fields.
I entered the house and spread the table, My stomach was empty, I prepared some food. If I did not return for dinner, My mother would wait with hardened bread.
I called her once in between, She could not answer, I could not reach her. After some time from an unknown number, My phone began to ring.
I picked up and said hello, It was my mother, and I was stunned. While I sat in a cool and quiet room, My mother was picking cotton in the heat.
Her legs ache, her body is weak, Her delicate hands are wounded and cracked. The pains and sorrows that trouble my mother, Let them come to me, but do not hurt her.
Her hair has turned white, wrinkles mark her face, Yet even so, she remains my paradise. While her peers wear fine silk and satin, My mother’s head is never free from hardship.
My goal is to build a beautiful life for you, One that suits only you and your comfort. But if from now on I remain a burden to you, Mother, please do not call me your child.
J.J. Campbell (1976 – ?) is old enough to know where the bodies are buried. The three- time Best of The Net nominee and two-time Pushcart Prize nominee lives with his disabled mother in Ohio. He’s been widely published over the years, most recently at Yellow Mama, The Rye Whiskey Review, Night Owl Narrative, Disturb the Universe Magazine and The Beatnik Cowboy. His latest book, to live your dreams, published by Whiskey City Press, is available on Amazon.com. for more info on the book, go here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245883678-to-live-your-dreams.
Señor Despaïr
Against a Hopeless Time
A Poem by Christopher Bernard
3. The Angel
I waited for the old man
to answer, but all I heard was waves,
suddenly distant, as though withdrawing with
the tide.
Then I saw a dim glow above the horizon
and watched as it grew stronger, felt my shadow
deepen with the appearance of the light.
The sky grew dull and stretched with cloud ribbons
and flattened out. The sea looked like pewter.
Then an edge of startling brightness
appeared beneath the scrambled glow,
and the sun edged upward, red and gold.
I turned to look at the old man,
but there was no one there. I was alone on the beach.
Had he walked away in disgust at my last speech?
Had he given up on someone so incorrigibly naive?
Had he even been there at all? No, he’d been there,
of that I was sure. Perhaps he had thrown himself
back into the sea from which he had come.
I watched as the sun rose like a head or like an eye
staring across a world that was all sky.
And a form broke from the sun and the far
calling of the waves. Nebulous as fog or cloud,
it seemed to step toward me over sand
brilliant and slippery as glass,
and I saw behind it a throng
of brilliant, smiling – were they angels? –
misty and fragrant as the breeze
that lifted from the sea.
The glowing form seemed to speak,
and it was the voice inside me,
bright and soft as an angel’s,
or as I would imagine an angel’s.
“Know this,” it spoke, as if close to my ear,
almost a whisper, and I strained to hear.
“Know this: we are perpetual creation.
Know this: we are the infinite world.
Time wee enter to work out the possible,
which knows no end and no beginning.
Know this: your task on earth
is to build possibility.
Know this: we are nature,
nature is ourselves.
Just as you are nature,
nature is you.
You are our hands and eyes
as we are yours in all that is.
The power of evil and good
is in your eyes and hands.
The ultimately beautiful is the ultimately real.
Know this: You are free. So: choose.”
And the smile of the diaphonous glowing figure
burned my face.
Suddenly the throng of angels,
and the sea and the shore and the sky
rang, like all the bells in all the cities
of the earth.
Though how could that be? How could any of this
be?
And I was surrounded by the flocking and singing of
many birds.
And the waves glittered before me,
and I heard enchanting laughter.
And the air smelled of shells and brine and roses
and smoke, perfume, wine, and brandy and
apples.
And a crab made mock with a clam, and a blade of
grass
traced in the dunes the outline of the loveliest of girls
to the dip of a breeze and a turn of a sun ray. And a
falcon
traded mysteries with a dove. And wind
swept up the sand in a glory of wind devils
swirling in shapes of Carmen, Venus, Tamara,
formed in a moment, in the next cast back
to sand and wind. And whiteness throned in clouds
above,
and wind and galleons moved across the blueness
like a sea,
a moment hoped for, lost, here, once, forever.
And the sun as it rose opened and filled the sky
for a moment that passed like a breath
with a beauty that was infinite
and a love that was for all time.
_____
Christopher Bernard’s most recent collection of poems is titled The Beauty of Matter, “A Pagan’s Verses for a Mystic Idler.” Señor Despaïr will appear in book form from Real Magazine Productions, a publisher based in India, later this year.
This article analyzes the role of emojis and stickers as paralinguistic tools in contemporary Uzbek written discourse. The study examines their usage in social media platforms such as Telegram and Instagram among young people. Emojis and stickers are shown to function as substitutes for words, conveying emotions, intonation, and mood. The article discusses both positive and negative effects of their use on written communication and their impact on the norms of the literary language. The findings indicate that while emojis and stickers enrich the written discourse and enhance expressiveness, overuse may negatively affect the purity and clarity of the Uzbek language.
Keywords
emoji, sticker, Uzbek language, written discourse, paralinguistics, social media, linguistic transformation
Introduction
Globalization and the rapid development of digital technologies have significantly influenced the written discourse of young people. Social media platforms, including Telegram, Instagram, and TikTok, have introduced new visual tools such as emojis and stickers. These tools act as paralinguistic elements in written communication, replacing certain words while conveying emotions, tone, and mood.
This study aims to explore the role of emojis and stickers in contemporary Uzbek written discourse, their effects on communication, and the implications for language norms. Despite the popularity of these visual elements, research on their specific impact on the Uzbek language remains limited, making this investigation both relevant and timely.
Methods
The research utilized the following methods:
Observation – Analysis of messages, posts, and stories from Telegram and Instagram among Uzbek-speaking youth.
Descriptive analysis – Examination of how emojis and stickers convey emotions and intentions.
Comparative analysis – Comparison of traditional Uzbek written language with discourse enriched by emojis and stickers.
Example-based linguistic analysis – Selection of the 10 most frequently used emojis and stickers for detailed study.
Results and Discussion
Real examples from social media:
“I am so sad ” – The emoji conveys the mood clearly and quickly.
“Happy birthday! ” – Visual elements express celebration and joy.
“I didn’t accept his words ” – Emojis intensify emotional intonation.
“I posted a story, like it ” – Stickers and emojis provide quick instructions or calls to action.
Analysis:
Emojis and stickers enrich written discourse and allow fast, effective emotional expression.
Among young people, these tools often replace words to convey meaning succinctly.
Overuse, however, may violate literary norms and make the text less understandable.
Strong academic statements:
“According to the author’s observations, emojis and stickers in contemporary Uzbek written discourse primarily serve to enhance emotional expressiveness and condense communication.”
“Code-switching to visual elements is not merely a linguistic phenomenon but also reflects social identity and youth’s inclination toward modernity.”
“Social media platforms accelerate the integration of paralinguistic elements into written Uzbek discourse.”
Depression – A Disease of Modern Society. Stress and its Effects on the Body. The Problem of Psychological Strain Among Students. Social Media and Mental Health
This article provides information about depression, stress, psychological exhaustion among students, the impact of social media, and psychosomatics. Today, many people live under constant psychological pressure. In particular, feelings of depression and mental strain have increased among young people. The article explains the causes of these problems and ways to prevent them. The effects of stress on the human body are described in simple terms. In addition, the relationship between mental state and the body is explained.
Modern life is very fast-paced. People work a lot, study a lot, and are constantly in a hurry. As a result, psychological fatigue and stress have become more common. Some individuals constantly feel sad, depressed, or exhausted. This condition is not just ordinary sadness; in some cases, it may be a medical disorder.
Students also experience significant stress due to academic responsibilities, examinations, and concerns about their future. Moreover, social media has a strong influence on mental well-being. In recent years, depression and stress have become among the most widespread problems worldwide. Psychological strain is especially increasing among students.
Social media has become an inseparable part of our lives. Although it can be useful, it may also have negative effects on human health when used excessively.
Main Part:
Depression – A Disease of Modern Society
Depression is a long-lasting state of low mood. A person constantly feels sad and loses interest in daily activities. They may feel worthless or hopeless. Interest in work, studies, or favorite hobbies decreases. Sleep patterns are disturbed, and appetite may either decrease or increase.
Depression is not just ordinary sadness. If this condition persists for a long time, it is important to seek professional help.
Stress and Its Effects on the Body
Stress is the body’s response to difficult or challenging situations. For example, feeling nervous before an exam is a form of stress. Short-term stress is not harmful and can even improve performance.
However, chronic stress is dangerous. It may cause a rapid heartbeat, headaches, and increased blood pressure. If stress continues for a long time, it can lead to stomach problems and other physical illnesses.
It is important to emphasize that psychological strain is common among students. They study extensively and prepare for exams continuously. Examinations, academic pressure, and parental expectations create additional stress. Lack of sleep and insufficient rest worsen mental exhaustion.
As a result, concentration decreases, irritability increases, and mood becomes unstable.
Social Media and Mental Health
Social media platforms are useful, but excessive use can be harmful. People often compare their lives with others online. This may create the impression that “everyone is happy except me.”
Such thoughts reduce self-confidence and may lead to feelings of depression. Therefore, it is important to use social media in moderation.
What Is Psychosomatics?
Some illnesses are related to a person’s psychological state. For example, when someone feels anxious, their physical condition may worsen. When a person is afraid, their heart rate increases.
This shows that mental health is closely connected to physical health. Therefore, Prevention and Recommendations:
-Maintain a proper sleep schedule and adequate rest
-Engage in regular physical exercise
-Use social media in moderation
-Communicate openly with family and friends
-Seek medical or psychological help when necessary.
References:
1-General Psychology Textbook
2-World Health Organization – Depression and other mental health materials
3-Hans Selye – Stress theory and its effects on the body
