The Future

The past slips through our fingers like sand;

it does not return, no matter how we call it back.

The present is the only thing we truly have,

and within it, tomorrow is born.

We do not know what is coming,

but we know what we can wish for:

goodness for every human being,

peace for every child, a life without fear.

To be human is not easy,

and to be good is even harder.

Yet that is what we are called to be.

There is one planet,

and there is room for all.

Not to divide, but to recognize one another.

A world without wars,

without hunger and tears,

without the blood of the innocent —

is not a dream, but a choice.

If we pause and listen to ourselves,

we will hear a quiet voice: love.

In that word, change begins.

We must change ourselves

to change the world.

We must be the light when everything

seems on the verge of breaking.

Children are watching us.

What will we leave them?

The future is not something we wait for —

it is something we create.

Together.

Tanja Ajtic was born in Belgrade, Serbia. She lived and studied in Serbia. She is a poet and writer but she is also an artist. She also deals with fine graphics. Since 2002, she lives and creates in Canada. Moved to Belgrade, Serbia 2023. Tanja Ajtic is a member of many groups and associations. In Serbia, she is a member of the prestigious Society of Writers of Belgrade. Her poems and stories have been published two hundred collections (books), anthologies and electronic books. Her poems have been published in twelve languages. She published her book Outlines of Love. She participated with books and anthologies at many fairs in the world with other authors. In 2024 and 2025, Ajtic collaborated with Indian poet Sourav Sarkar on two joint poetry collections that present two works by the poet in one book. – She won second prize in Great Britain from the Serbian Library in London (2019). – She won III World Prize for Excellence: Cesar Vallejo; 2021 in the category of artistic excellence Lima, Peru, by the World Spanish Union of Writers and International Award of Excellence; from the World Spanish Union of Writers, UHE Mexico. –

She won the I International Award of Excellence & “Cita Del Glateo” Antonio De Ferrariis, IX edition 2022 – Rome, Italy, a prestigious award in the group of poets for the English language (IX edition of the award for foreign poetry in English) in 2022, Rome, Italy. – Winners of Foundation Naji Naaman literary prize iz 2023; (21 st Edition), from the Republic of Lebanon, Honor Prize (for complete work) for Literary prizes 2023. Poetry for the competition was submitted in three languages: English, French and Arabic. – Winning the 2023 “Zheng Nian Cup” Literary Award – Third Prize by the Beijing Mindfulness Literature Museum, China. – Winning Third Prize, Friedrich Schiller International Literary Competition (2025). She is the winner of many awards, diplomas and certificate. She is currently writing poetry, short stories, haiku, Gogyoshi poetry as well as graphics artist as a freelance artist.

TELEPHONE

Phone in her hand

She was smiling

It was a very beautiful summer day

A message was arrived to her

From someone

Therefore

She was happy

She was writing the answer

And

She was constantly smiling

Quietly

Later

For a moment she couldn’t contain herself

Smiled loudly

Because

She was very happy

She couldn’t stop her joy

I was sitting opposite her

And I was seeing what happened

She was normal to be happy

Like every person

It was one of the most beautiful emotions in the World

Human love.

Türkan Ergör, Sociologist, Philosopher, Writer, Poet, Art Photography Model. Türkan Ergör was born 19 March 1975 in the city of Çanakkale, Türkiye. She was selected International “Best Poet 2020”. She was selected International “Best Poet, Author/Writer 2021”. She was selected International “Best Poet, Writer/Author 2022”. She was awarded the FIRST PRIZE FOR THE OUTSTANDING AUTHOR IN 2022. She was awarded the 2023 “Zheng Nian Cup” “National Literary First Prize” by Beijing Awareness Literature Museum. She was awarded the “Certificate of Honor and Appreciation” and “Crimean Badge” by İSMAİL GASPRİNSKİY SCIENCE AND ART ACADEMY. She was awarded the “14k Gold Pen Award” by ESCRITORES SIN FRONTERAS ORGANIZACIÓN INTERNACIONAL.

On the seashore

The warmth of the golden sand,

The desire for love in the heart,

If a cool breeze blew,

On the fine sand,

If a double heart was drawn…

If two hearts were one,

If the heart was filled with love,

If your hand was in my hand,

Barefoot, bareheaded,

We would fly in dreams!

Those who see will not recognize,

They will not believe even if they see,

They will not be moved by our condition,

They will pass by smiling,

They will call Leyli Majnun! 

If we sing that song,

“Pomegranate tree, pomegranate flower,

How beautiful is my dear sky”,

Then if we look into each other’s eyes,

As if it were a movie.

The dream took us away,

The weather turned dark,

Suddenly looking at the clock,

We returned to real life,

Farewell to mirages.

Elmaya Jabbarova – was born in Azerbaijan. She is poet, writer, translator. Her poems from 2019 to date were published in the regional and foreign newspapers, magazine’s, books, Web. pages, Anthologies. She has been awarded many certificates diplomas, medals. She is Department manager of Hekari newspaper of Azerbaijan. She is a honorory member of the Writers of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. World Association of People’s Creators, Honorary member of the International Academy of Literature, Art, Culture and Social Sciences of Uzbekistan. She is an Academic. Appointed Koordinator, Secretary General of Azerbaijan, Argentina. She is presented in the book Famous Personalities MultiArt – 5, Argentina. She was a member World Poetic Fraternity. Shewas awarded the title of Global Poet of 2023; 2024. She was awarded the title of World Poet Laureate from Azerbaijan as one of 55 poets selected by Pentasi B Friendship Poetry for 2025.

The Dance Card

$.10 a dance

$.25 for three dances

She sits at a table

close to the dance floor,

hoping to fill

her dance card.

Dressed in her

favourite yellow dress—

the kind of dress

that flares out

when you twirl

across the dance floor.

She watches

as couples rise

and make their way

onto the floor.

$.10 a dance

$.25 for three dances

She holds her dance card

and waits,

hoping that

some gentleman

will ask her to dance.

She sits all alone,

watching couples

turn and twirl

beneath the lights.

$.10 a dance

$.25 for three dances

And still she waits,

her yellow dress

waiting to dance,

her empty card

waiting to be filled.

© Shannon Scoates The Weaver Lantern-lit Truth- spoken Heart-seen. 

Shannon Scoates is a Canadian poet and intuitive writer whose work is rooted in nature, mysticism, and channeled guidance. Influenced by childhood storytellers like Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, as well as poets such as Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, E.E. Cummings, W.B. Yeats, Robert Frost, and RR Token author Terry Brooks, she began writing at age ten as a way to express emotion and truth. Shannon is also an energy healer trained in Reiki, colour, sound, and vibrational therapy, and she is passionate about helping women find their voice through writing and spiritual connection. A devoted advocate for children’s literature and animal rights, she carries forward the encouragement of her Grampa and Grama, whose spirit continues to guide her creative path. Her first book is currently in development.

I AM GROWING OLD

I glide my fingertips over the wrinkles on my face, I am growing old…

Each one depicts something

from my life

but I don’t care.

Not a single artist

could arrange them like this,

shallow, deep, smiling

they look at me from my skin.

I frown in vain,

I didn’t do it,

It’s all God’s work…

The one next to the eye that laughs,

and the one next to the lips

that changes the whole face.

I was growing old

and you danced in my chest,

becoming the most beautiful part of me…

I smiled with my soul, eyes, lips

like an actress on stage.

My wrinkles were beautiful too,

there was more and more room for you

because my skin was getting bigger…

I am growing old, I am slowly forgetting,

I know it was happiness.

I am burning

because my heart is tingling and my thoughts are black,

I AM GROWING OLD

MILKA J. ŠOLAJA, born in Korenica, Republic of Croatia. Lives and works in Belgrade. She has been writing poetry since her high school days. So far, she has published 11 independent poetry collections: “If I Were a Bird”, “Dreams in the Mirror”, “Between Reality and Sleep”, “Traces Will Remain”, “Black and White World”, “I Think Your Hands Are Yours”, “A Tear from Stone”, “I Was Born Alone” and two co-authored poetry collections: “I Dream with Verses” and “My Dreams Written in Verses”, published by “Kulture Snova” from Zagreb. 

The eleventh poetry collection “I Am This I Am” is in preparation for publication, as well as the autobiographical novel “Walking on the Edge”. She writes love, homeland, descriptive, reflective, spiritual and poetry for children. Translated into English, Hungarian, Bengali, Spanish, Greek, Odia, Arabic…

Award-winning, represented in many anthologies, monographs, collections and magazines, both domestic and international. Some poems are composed. Member of: Serbian Writers’ Association, Literary and Artistic Union “Vlaho Bukovac” from Split, “Culture of Dreams” from Zagreb, Institute for Children’s Literature in Belgrade. She is also a member of several International Groups, Forums and Academies for Poetry and Literature, where she has received a large number of awards. 

THE RIVER OF ETERNITY

In the silence of dawn’s embrace,

Where freedom’s song finds its space,

In the whispers of the ancient trees,

Lies the essence of inner peace.

Through the mist of morning’s light,

Where souls dance in pure delight,

In the unity of hearts set free,

Flows the river of eternity.

Beyond the realm of earthly sight,

Where spirits soar in tranquil flight,

In the stillness of the cosmic sea,

Resides the truth that sets us free.

So let us journey inward, deep,

Where love’s eternal flame we keep,

In the sanctuary of our soul’s embrace,

We find the serenity of grace.

Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar, Serbia. She is the deputy editor at “Sfairos” publishing house in Belgrade, Serbia.  She is the vice-president of the association “Rtanj and Mesečev poetski krug”.  She is the author of two books: “The Circle of the Moon” and “Trees of Desire” She is the editor of the International Anthology “Rtanjski stihopevi” One of the founders of the poetry club “Area Felix” from Zaječar, Serbia and the editor of an international e-magazine for creative literature and culture “Area Felix”.

DREAMS THAT FLY HIGH

A girl with her paper airplane, dreams that fly high and far, with wings of hope and freedom, her imagination has no limits. 

The wind carries it and makes it fly, the girl smiles, with bright eyes, her paper airplane, a symbol of dreams, that can take her to magical places. 

Nidia Amelia García, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a writer and an active member of Juntos por las Letras (Together for Letters). She has participated in numerous virtual events in Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and elsewhere. She has also contributed to literary anthologies such as “Books of the Immortals” and “Anthology of the 50 Poets of the World 2022.”