Is political time, is archipelago time. “Why should we have half the islands on one time & the other half on another when they’re only fifteen minutes apart?” So some adjusted the local IDL with an eastern bulge while others moved it westwards. On Taveuni
Island, in the Fiji archipelago, one can stand across the actual Prime Meridian, have one foot in today, the other in yesterday. Then, without moving an inch, have one foot in to- morrow while still balancing in today.
wingding
Pigeons & buses jostle for space
in the eye of the hurricane.
alt-Zen
Seeking peace from a piece of pizza.
Intelligent Design
He considered poems to be a form of get well cards, was always upset that they never came in addressed envelopes.
A note
Being an expat- riate doesn’t
mean being an ex-patriot. I
still cling to my country of origin.
Fender Bender
A within-subjects study is investi- gating whether using multidose vials or old-school flash cards is
more efficacious. Both are some- what pointless, & may be hazardous. Even dead batteries can still produce
some electricity. It’s why, to overcome its innate low speeds, a Pokémon of Sassy nature welcomes Bitter berries.
A bully. Liar. Con man. Lifelong cheat. Convicted felon. No respect for law. Uneducated voters think he’s God— or sent by God to fix an unfair world where being male and white is not enough. They call on God—the other one, on high— to bless their hatred with prosperity. And God—the one in D.C—answers prayers by suing foes, unleashing private armies on immigrants, and posting diatribes.
But now the presidential crown’s at risk. Epstein’s ring of wealthy pedophiles provokes the cry, “Release the Epstein files!” He stalls, resists, twists arms— then flips. Agrees. In videos and photos, Don and Jeff are partying together, side by side. So—yes, he says he’ll do the big reveal. But will the files be whole– or missing chunks, with names redacted, segments lost or trashed? And Epstein’s dead. Convenient. He can’t talk.
You think we’ll finally see hard evidence that “grab ‘em by the pussy”—basic rape, two dozen charges, one conviction– rape has always been a hobby? Would an isle of teen-aged girls be catnip to this tom? Release the Epstein files? He signed the bill. But will we ever see them? Sure! When hell- fire freezes solid, grocery prices fall, and health care is available to all. His handlers won’t finance a losing game.
The Importance of Digital Literacy in the Modern World
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, digital literacy has become an indispensable skill for individuals across all walks of life. Digital literacy means more than just the ability to use a computer or smartphone; it encompasses the capacity to critically evaluate digital content, communicate effectively through digital platforms, and safely navigate the online environment.
Enhancing Communication and Social Interaction
With the rise of the internet and digital devices, communication has transcended traditional boundaries. Digital literacy empowers people to connect instantly through emails, social networks, and video calls. This accessibility enriches personal relationships and expands professional networks, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
Facilitating Access to Information and Lifelong Learning
The digital world offers an enormous amount of information at one’s fingertips. Having the skills to find, assess, and apply this information accurately is crucial in education, research, and day-to-day decision-making. Digital literacy encourages self-directed learning and adaptation in an era where knowledge rapidly evolves.
Boosting Employment and Economic Growth
In the modern job market, digital competence is often a prerequisite. From basic computer skills to advanced data analysis, employees with strong digital literacy can perform tasks more efficiently and innovate within their roles. Organizations that invest in digital transformation experience improved productivity, competitive advantage, and market growth, which in turn stimulates the economy.
Addressing Challenges and Promoting Responsible Use
Despite its advantages, digital technology also poses risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. A digitally literate person understands these challenges and applies ethical standards while using technology. Awareness of cybersecurity practices and digital etiquette ensures a safer online environment for everyone.
Supporting Social Inclusion and Empowerment
Digital literacy reduces the digital divide by enabling marginalized groups to access resources and opportunities previously out of reach. It fosters empowerment by providing tools for civic engagement, access to healthcare information, and participation in digital economies.
Conclusion
Digital literacy is foundational for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. It enhances communication, education, employment, and social inclusion while promoting responsible digital citizenship. Societies that prioritize digital literacy are better equipped to harness technology’s full potential, ensuring sustainable development and global connectivity.
the delicate thrum, heartbeat through my bound chest, my palm pressed there like a promise, every breath stolen from me like a murmuration of living feeling seeing i’m living in the stars like a superhero. only now.
only now does the murmuration of my heartbeat slow, the murmuration of birds slow their pace. i’ve been taught to exist without realizing.. the gentle murmurs of your heart have become a gift.
i didn’t realize i missed you until i stood under the sky with the world opened up to me and i murmuredation, please come home. we are both home.
if we are both home then why do i feel lost? when my mom told me it wasn’t a panic attack
all i wanted was you. your delicate murmuration thrumming through my bones. your comfort. when i picture you i feel safe. i watch birds and i feel like i’m floating away. i could take off in search of them but i think you’d notice.
i hope so. i notice every murmuration, we are a murmuration, aren’t we? a flock of birds, we rise, we fall, i missed you you you it’s hard to realize i missed you until i see you
and you say you missed me and i say it back and i feel right again, not just a stolen wish floating away to a star-ling.
Nourina ⭐
By Jamal Garougar 🇲🇦
Since time immemorial,
the heart has been digging a well inside me
to listen to its own water…
No one knows
that peace begins with a single drop
negotiating with its stone
before leaping toward the light.
I walk,
and nameless birds hang from my shoulders,
gathering what falls from my thoughts
as if collecting seeds
waiting for the season of departure.
I watch the trees
hide faces in their bark—
one resembles my childhood,
another the world’s trembling fear,
and a third
I do not know,
yet it reassures me
as it watches
from the shimmer of night between the branches.
I move forward,
and the things around me shift
as if the universe
were readjusting its geometry
to the rhythm of my heart…
Stones listen,
the air takes notes,
grass spells out
my footsteps
like a child learning the alphabet
for the very first time.
I love…
not a single face,
but the space
between faces,
the luminous space
shaped by the quiet passage
of the heart.
I love how water
negotiates with the earth,
and how the earth
learns from the water’s flow
the tenderness of surrender.
I also love
that everything in the universe
is suspended by a delicate thread
held by the Creator
from an unseen place—
and yet
this thread breaks
only when we close our hearts.
I stop,
and memory escapes through a window,
from which a woman appears
whom I do not know,
yet I recognize
the way she calms the wind
as it brushes past her…
and I understand that love
is not a person,
but a ritual
that souls learn
only when they set themselves aside.
I grow silent,
and meaning flows
from unknown places,
as if language
had borrowed the voice of clouds
and left me
fallen in wonder.
And when night descends,
I feel my heart
closing its doors
and opening its single window
toward a sky
that breathes within me…
a sky
where every star
knew my name
before I was born,
and knew that I came
to plant
a small garden
where the world may rest
for just a moment.
Thus,
I become a sentence
in a book vaster than Earth,
and my life
becomes a code written
on a faint light,
read by angels
searching for a new reason
why humans
should not grow weary
of carrying this planet.
And here, within every heartbeat,
the heart continues to whisper…
Nourina is not the end of the poem—
but the beginning of everything.
A chapel of trust envelops our circle, A place where truth exists, A place where we can wear purple. Sometimes we howl from pain and memory. A soothing word, compassionate, insightful, Tempers those thoughts, offers new perspectives.
We share jubilations and sorrows in movement and dance, Mad drumming and laughter, And talking, talking, talking. A lovely buzzing bespeaks tradition – Our foremothers who drummed and laughed And talked and talked and talked.
Revelatory and elemental, With all the terror of a winter storm And the sweet gentleness of spring. We engage in rituals, pre-arranged and specific. Buffalo women, Christian, Jewish— Clever talismans guiding us through the seasons.
Our Lady of the Altar stands steadfast, reminding us of our bond. The glow of rich mulled wine and the reliability of fresh-popped corn Set the stage for ceremony. We listen and take note.
Who is hurting? Who needs to be heard? We circle around pain and anger, Listening, offering only what we know. We circle around joy too – Reveling in our sisters’ tales of travel, Marveling at our sisters’ growth.
We cycle through the seasons together, bold warrior women, Facing each challenge as it comes. The strength of our group provides defense Against the harsher elements.
Summer brings its lusty rapture – Toes unseen since the previous year Summoning memories of summers past: Previous lovers lying with us on moist grass, under starlit skies, Best friends staying over to talk all night Because it was summer. Tawny legs and white shorts give way now To flowing dresses, graceful movement, soulful majesty. Buffalo women under the steady gaze Of Our Lady of the Altar.
Autumn arrives, as it always does, Forever catching us off guard. A momentary pall as we mourn another summer’s passing. Moving toward acceptance, we embrace new colors, Commenting brightly on the crisp fall air. Knowing how quickly it passes, We glory in the filtered autumn light, Bathing sky and lake in colors brilliant and pale. It is a time of preparation Of mind, body, soul, and hearth.
Our lake in the sky turns wintry and ponderous Until the first wondrous snowfall – Downy flakes and all. Winter hardly seems ominous. With the exuberance of children we throw back our heads, Thrust out our tongues to catch the snow’s purity In holy communion with God’s divinity.
Overwrapped in puffy clothing, runny red noses, We brave deadly roads in the dead of winter. Undaunted, we circle back again To listen, to laugh, to be present for one another And for ourselves.
Someone may be hurting; someone may need to be heard. We listen, undisturbed. Here, in our women’s circle Where trust is found And friendships formed, We open our hearts As Ladies of the Lake.
We celebrate our feminine essence as one, Resurrecting the child within Who loves to play in all weather, Outside or in.
Delighting in the treasures of each miraculous season, Reflected in every face of this glorious circle. Fierce women, all! I celebrate you. I wish you joy and merriment As we circle together once again Through the turning seasons.
