***
Getting to know silence
The clouds in the sky burst silently
The veins on the arm burst silently
The dead cry silently
Thunder rumbles without any unnecessary sounds
Fish heads don’t scream
Even mosquitoes don’t squeak
A military pilot prepared to drop a quiet (but only for the time being) air bomb

***
the existence of clouds for the sake of the existence of rain
the creation of man for the sake of the creation of god
I know everything in the world except the truth

***
The future is water
The future is a spit
I collect spit and tears
I pretend that the cemetery is a space rocket
I pretend Im going to the stars
But in fact Im picking mushrooms in the forest after an explosion in the forest near
Hiroshima

***
Religion was invented for those
Who have not yet died
Each of us dreams of being Jesus Christ
Each of us is a baby
Вut where are the Magi

***
БОГ
ГОГ
LOL
LOLA
LOL A
LOL Æ
LOL
ГОГ
ВАН ГОГ
ONE GOG
VAN GOGH
VAH GOG
AH GOD
A DOG
AD OG
АД ОХ
ЛХ ОХ
ХХ ХХ
ОО ОО
Zero
Nothing

***

Chorus. 

Silence. 

Silence kills. 

Silence is a source of information, 

And the deader it is, 

The more valuable it is. 

Music. 

The choir repeats the same thing, 

Nailing silence to the emptiness. 

Creepy, fascinating. 

Chorus is loneliness. 

It is unbearable to hear 

How insanely lonely 

Each individual voice is. 

All voices arise from silence. 

All voices arise from loneliness. 

All voices are singing. 

Singing is the twin of music. 

Music is made up of sounds: 

Silence and stillness. 

Sound is a movement 

That moves towards 

The one who hears it. 

Hear the silence while waiting 

For the end of life. 

Listen to silence 

During your own apocalypse. 

And sing. 

Almost die. 

Life is almost dead. 

Death is almost beautiful. 

Death is silence. 

Death is a song 

Without words,

Without a voice. 

Chorus. 

Silence. 

Silence kills.

***

Blind people do not interfere with those who are happy. Night with silence. Occasionally there is the sound of cars on the street. Steps on the stairs. The noise of neighbors voices and the clatter of dishes.

A blind man is looking for a roof. The stars are shining and there is nowhere to hide from the shine. Its not snowing. There is no access to the roof.

A blind man is looking for a basement. A blind man plays hide and seek. The door to the basement is closed.

A blind man is looking for a home. A blind man does not want to live in a house without color. There is a sharpened knife on the table. The soul turns into a bird. The door is open.

***

I teach the lights to light up

I learn from people about combustion

Matches have no soul

Matches can break

You can build a house and death out of matches

The flowers in which the cemetery is floating are fake

Lighters are much preferable to matches

The peace of the grave is guarded by a cricket

***

no one knows 

the autumn cemetery 

as well as worms

***

the rain washes away the dirt 

from the face of a homeless man

***

again no one was born 

in the cemetery

***

the ship floats away 

into the distance

the clouds float away 

into the distance

people are floating away

no one will catch up with time

***

the grass opens 

its spring temple 

belatedly

My parents’ faith gave me strength. 

I was born in Asaka district of Andijan region, in a family of intellectuals.

All my achievements today are due to the support of my parents since childhood.

My parents taught me to read and write, they brought me books every week, my childhood was spent in social activity, participating in various contests, and working on myself.

The doors that were closed in my face encouraged me to be stronger, to act more boldly towards my goal, and I achieved all this.

The award is not important for me, it is important that I can do it and be recognized.

When I graduated, I grew up as a strong person. During this period, I rediscovered myself as a person. Although I am a positive person, my first year as an applicant was somewhat difficult. But it was the process of adaptation that opened up new horizons in my psyche. I devoted my time to learning more. My efforts to study and research were not in vain. 

For the first time, with the intention of going abroad, I took a course in the subject that I had studied little. The fact that I gained experience in different directions has a great role in my financial independence.

My parents have a big role in everything. Since childhood, I have always strived for the best in everything. I thank my parents, who did not put pressure on me and did not set limits saying, “You are a girl.”

“My daughter knows very well what to say and which way to walk, no matter where she is,” they say.

My parents have a great role in my success.  

 From my parents, I learned to be honest and truthful, to constantly work on myself, to make the most of every moment. For this reason, I did not suffer financially.

Since I was 16 years old, I tried to support myself and cover my needs.

My lifestyle, dreams and goals, which I have always promised myself, give me strength and motivation.

Olimova Muslima Odiljon’s daughter was born on 07.08.2007 in the city of Asaka, Andijan region. She graduated from the 13th school of Asaka district with a gold medal. Andijan Mechanical Engineering Institute. 1st year student of Information Systems and Technologies, Faculty of IB and CT.

My hands don’t tell me to touch another,

not to hug them, not to kiss them, 

not to slap them, not to stab them,

nor even feel for them at all.

My hands write,

write the scenarios I played out for crowds.

I write until the skin on my hands disintegrates,

blood puddles on the paper,

scattering stories unable to be spoken.

When bubbled crimsons agile hands daunt an 

unchased stars truthful lies,

no escape to tame relocation.

Although memory stings like rays,

escaping towards shallow shadows,

hollow to silent foretelling fate.

Dried up hopes flourished again,

lines weren’t nothing but stables for either.

We know yet fear the ideas 

of a galaxy collapsed fate.

Fate connects us more to ourselves

than any addiction punctured into our backs.

Told they will suppress our emotions,

we quote what they tell us

in grief,

in love,

in translucency.

Our bodies tell the truth.

addiction is emotion in hiding

when they are not to be.

Emotions are never more alive 

when cut into you.

Breathe

The maple trees told me it's in the ashen branches
Where the squirrels hide 
Their little child soul set afar from human conditions
I surmise the longing of things
From near and far 
Where the river is spread out against the sky
The night stars are falling around
I saw in a sleep
The jumpings and quiverings of non living things
Stay in my mind like a biscuit parchment paper
I blew the dandelions too loudly
Alas they catch the midheaven star
The North node of all our dreams where they shine
I now think of the maple trees 
The red apples sodden
With arched bow whites 
I know not what to name these
Perhaps they carry their own destiny
A hidden blush of lost stars and milkyways
I breathe in thee. 

If your father is with you

You are not walking on a bad road, zinhor.
Good wishes are in your blood.
You're lucky, you're always happy,
If your father is with you

You will not be one of the others,
I'm sorry if you don't break your heart.
Blessings to those who work,
If your father is with you.

One of the moon and one of the sun
Don't let the tears flow.
If you are proud, don't bend your head,
If your father is with you.

Smile on your children's faces,
Carelessness and sadness in an unpressing heart.
This is your friend and this is your country,
If your father is with you.

Prayers are answered,
May your days be filled with joy.
Happiness will not leave you,
If your father is with you.

Don't be ignorant, don't be weak,
Enjoy every moment.
Your heart will never have a dream,
If your father is with you.


Khaitmurodov Ismail
Address: Samarkand city
Alfraganus is a 3rd year student of the Faculty of Economics

First of all, we’re sharing an announcement from contributor Howard Debs about the upcoming virtual course Writing from Atrocity to Healing: A Multi-Genre Virtual Workshop.

This four session virtual workshop will provide poets and writers of all levels, genres, and backgrounds with the tools to write from their experiences with atrocity, the traumas produced by atrocity, and the healing (personally, communally, nationally) your words can make of it. Featuring Ellen Bass, Jacqueline Osherow, Joy Ladin, Geoffrey Philp, Jehanne Dubrow, among others. Moderated by Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum. Four consecutive weekly sessions (January 7, 14, 21, 28 ).

Each session includes content from the forthcoming book The Wounded Line: A Guide to Writing Poems of Trauma (“ethical concerns and helpful craft elements for writing poems [and other writing] that engage with trauma”) presented by the author Jehanne Dubrow, and session related writing prompts and open review of selected flash fiction, poems, etc. as submitted by attendees. Each registrant receives New Voices: Contemporary Writers Confronting the Holocaust suggested readings from which coordinate with the workshop series. Session recordings will be made available to registrants unable to attend specific sessions upon request. Registration fee includes all four sessions. Limited registration closes December 30. Presented by the New Voices Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. newvoicesproject.org and you may sign up for the workshop here.

Now for our issue’s theme, Plumbing the Depths. We look into the varied aspects, not always visible at first glance, of people’s interior and social lives, human societies, the natural world, and our artwork, history, and culture.

Chuck Taylor’s story reminds us about the complex layers of each person’s life, that we are more than our most obnoxious moments. Paul Tristram explores everyday human feelings and interactions in his “street poetry,” claiming them as a worthy literary subject.

Gabriel Kang speaks to the important issue of men’s mental health by illustrating men’s struggles passed down through generations. David Sapp delves into Middle American family life in the 1970s through a cascade of shifting perspectives.

Daniel De Culla laments relationships inside and outside of the church which are exploitative rather than nurturing.

Ivan Pozzoni brings a comically psychoanalytic perspective to digital and analog aspects of modern life. Mykyta Ryzhykh illuminates the internal and external destruction of total war with a landscape suffering from PTSD. Alexander Kabishev evokes the displacement of civilians during wartime in his continuing epic of the siege of Leningrad. Muheez Olawale’s dramatic tale of escape and survival highlights the tragedy of human trafficking and the slave trade. Nicolas Gunter evokes the hopelessness of a person displaced and oppressed within a cruel climate.

Daniel De Culla’s fragmented near-death dream vision excoriates the political and economic power structures of the modern Western world. Noah Berlatsky illustrates the grotesque nature of hate and vitriol through his consciously repulsive imagery. Patricia Doyne excoriates the rising tide of racist and anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. Jake Cosmos Aller lambastes the political climate of the United States. Howard Debs preserves the words of and speculates along with the hosts of The View, wondering about Trump’s recent victory. Christopher Bernard suggests that America’s unique mix of cultural values and priorities helped to produce a leader akin to Trump. Bruce Roberts registers disgust at Trump’s voice, attitude, and behavior.

Turgunov Jonpolat describes how he stopped his peers from bullying him by reminding them that they were not all that important in life. Ivanov Reyez crafts vignettes of people determined to live and thrive despite the small and larger cruelties of the world around them.

Nuraini Mohamed Usman’s tale of enemies-to-lovers takes place within a secondary school. Ahmad Al-Khatat describes two broken people finding and healing each other in an unexpected love story. Mesfakus Salahin offers his gentle love to someone for whom he cares very much. Lan Qyqualla poetically immortalizes his late wife Lora in his mythical verse. Taylor Dibbert conveys continuing grief over the loss of a beloved canine companion. Kodirova Barchinoy Shavkatovna mourns the loss of her grandfather’s kind and poetic soul. Faizullayeva Gulasal reflects on how her love and respect for her parents helped her get through sheltering in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cameron Carter describes a love that inspires him to become a better version of himself.

Harinder Lamba presents a love story between a couple, their baby, and the Earth as they help our planet navigate climate change.

Michael Robinson leans on the poetic voice of Rumi to describe his spiritual intimacy with Jesus. Brian Barbeito evokes the mystical feeling that can come with staring into the deep daytime or nighttime sky as Sayani Mukherjee offers up a sensuous take on fallen leaves.

Sidnei Rosa da Silva gently chronicles a ladybug’s climb up a sand dune as Muslima Murodova relates the tender tale of a beautiful but short-lived butterfly.

Kylian Cubilla Gomez zooms in on bits of nature and culture from unusual angles, cultivating a sense of childlike wonder. Isabel Gomez de Diego’s work accomplishes something similar with scenes of cultivated nature: sheep on a hillside and seaside lookouts. Raquel Barbeito also gets up and close with nature, sketching outdoor scenes as well as a closeup of a person’s eye.

Duane Vorhees’ poetic speakers merge with nature in their own way in his descriptions of passion and indigestion.

Sarvinoz Quramboyeva highlights the beauty of Uzbekistan and its people’s optimism. Nilufar Anvarova celebrates the beauty of her Uzbek village and the kindness of its people while Ilhomova Mohichehra highlights the goodness of Uzbeks. Mansurova Sarvinoz Hassan, an Uzbek writer, relates her educational and professional accomplishments and thanks those who have supported her.

Zafarbek Jakbaraliyev outlines the language and distribution of the world’s Turkic-speaking peoples. Irodaxon Ibragimova relates the history of the Bekobod area of Uzbekistan. Sarvinoz Tuliyeva elucidates the history and importance of Uzbekistan’s Shaikhontohur Ensemble. Dilbar Koldoshova Nuraliyevna highlights the elegance and history of the Uzbek language as Farangiz Abduvohidova explores proverbs in Uzbekistan’s culture and Shamsiyeva Gavhar celebrates the beauty and rich history of the Uzbek language and its integral role in Uzbek culture. Maftuna Rustamova praises the wisdom of the Uzbek constitution.

Z.I. Mahmud draws out themes of nationalism and civilization vs wild nature in his analysis of Ted Hughes’ poetic works. Ari Nystrom-Rice illuminates the sheer force of nature, rainwater crashing into the sea. Kass evokes images of nature and plant life overtaking cities. Olivia Brody revels in melding with the beach, merging with wind and sand and ice plants.

Niginabonu Amirova blusters about the power of wind to transform a day and a landscape. Federico Wardal celebrates the lush landscapes and many talents of emerging Egyptian painter Nour Kassem. Nathan Anderson highlights the pure blunt force of Rus Khomutoff’s new poetry collection Kaos Karma as John Dorsey celebrates the soft and tender melodies of jazz. Jacques Fleury’s poetic mishmash twists and turns syntax around into a kerfluffle.

Joshua Martin weaves biological and mechanical images into his elaborate syntax-adventurous poetry. Mark Young’s “geographies” adjust, alter, and repurpose images and style elements. Texas Fontanella also probes the edges of conscious thought with his stream-of-consciousness text-message dialogues.

Also through a stream-of-consciousness form, Abigail George recollects personal struggles and a lost love in a poetic and descriptive essay. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa shares her own journey through poetry, towards balancing compassion for self with that for others. Bill Tope’s short story calls attention to the silent suffering of many with misophonia, sound sensitivity, through its depiction of a person’s quest for outer and inner peace.

J.J. Campbell speculates through vignettes from his own life on our place in the world, among time, history, and other creatures, and whether we are learning and growing as time passes.

Mahbub Alam compares the cycles of life to stops along a train route, as our world continually moves and changes. Through the tale of good clothes hung up and set aside, Faleeha Hassan reminds us not to save our entire lives for some amorphous special occasion.

Richard Stimac comments on the rhythms of life and human experience through the metaphor of Argentinian tango as Sara Goyceli Serifova rejoices in the look and feel of a long-awaited hopeful night.

We hope this issue will help plumb the depths behind the surface of the headlines and wring some hope from the sodden fabric of the world.