First, some announcements before our first May issue, Paradoxical Understandings.

Poetry submissions to North of Oxford’s Streur Anthology are now open!

North of Oxford would like to pay tribute to the late Russell Streur, poet and publisher of The Camel Saloon and The Plum Tree Tavern with an online anthology dedicated to Nature. Send us your poems of Nature, of floral and fauna, of forests and trees, of rivers, creeks and streams. Of farms, of urban nature, of parks and sanctuaries, of oceans and bays, of islands, of all things, Nature.

Send one to three poems for consideration of publication to North of Oxford at sahmsguarnieriandreutter@gmail.com  Subject line of submission: Streur Anthology. Submissions will be accepted until 5/31/25. Only submissions attached as word doc will be reviewed. Please include a 100-word bio within the word doc.

https://northofoxford.wordpress.com/2025/04/13/streur-nature-anthology-submissions/

Announcement from Jacques Fleury:
 “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”  is being featured on the Boston Public Library website for Haitian American Heritage Month in May!

Eva Petropoulou Lianou shares a short film inspired by NASA’s inclusion of her poetry in a capsule launched to the moon.

Synopsis
On 26th February 2025 NASA launched a capsule with poems to the moon, one of them was the anti-war poem “Happy Birthday”. Written by Eva Lianou Petropoulou, Directed & Animated by Zina Papadopoulou, Music & Sound by Grigoris Grigoropoulos

Lunar codex, Athena, Minerva Excelsior, The Vagabond Anthology, edited by Mark Lipman, dedicated to the Palestinian poet Ahmed Miqdad

Also, our contributor Brian Barbeito’s new book has just come out, When I Hear the Night. This is a prose poem and landscape photography book. Included with the words and pictures are two literary and dynamic introductory essays, one by poet and editor Jude Goodwin, and another by the writer and editor Mary Buchanan Sellers, figures current and thus well-informed in the field. There are also author notes and question-and-answer sections. The writings can be said to have interesting elements of memoir, essay, belle-lettres, poetry, and short story forms. Their content often includes the mystic and inner vision of the author coupled with the outside world of nature walking and travel.

When I Hear the Night can be ordered here.

Now, for May 2025’s first issue: Paradoxical Understandings. In this issue, we explore various perspectives and vantage points, how multiple things can be true at once in our complex universe.

To begin, poet Yang Yujun interviews Sudhakar Gaidhani about the inspirations behind his epic poetic work Devdoot the Angel, which promotes wisdom and unity among the world’s diverse groups of people and philosophies.

On a more personal level, Peter Cherches writes of understandings and misunderstandings, how much we can come to know or forget about those closest to us. Aziza Xazanova urges human understanding through avoiding assumptions and listening with empathy. Daniel De Culla relates a story where a person in trouble simply seeks a listening ear, not rescue.

One way people can understand each other better is by learning each other’s languages. Several contributors discuss pedagogical methods for language teaching.

Malika Abdusamadovna writes about translation techniques, the importance of clarity in a teacher’s speech, principles of word division in various European languages, and ways to teach speech activity. Gafurova Mahbuba discusses complex sentence structure, digital game metrics as teaching tools, and practical and theoretical approaches to translation. Oblaqulova Gulshoda examines and compares the implied meanings of Uzbek and Japanese idioms.

Abdullajonova Rayhona outlines methods of translation practice, how to teach speech activities, principles for the categorization of words, and how to teach language through movement and stories. Olimova Shahina discusses how to improve English learners’ skill in speaking. Matqurbonova Ro’zaxon explores different methods of improving spoken word fluency in language learners. Husanboyeva Nargiza highlights the potential of new digital technologies in education.

Other contributors reinterpret language in concrete and abstract ways. Jerome Berglund renders different poetic forms into concrete images. Noah Berlatsky contributes a humorous poem about procrastination that uses repetition as a literary device. Christina Chin and Uchechukwu Onyedikam craft joint tan-renga poems, finishing each other’s pieces with images of music, nature, rest, and memories. Rus Khomutoff’s concrete poetry takes us on a journey of surrealism, music, and romance.

Like Khomutoff, other writers travel deep into their own psyches. Brian Barbeito reflects on his thought process and creative journeys, considering how he both opens his mind to emptiness and enlightenment and, like a skilled hockey player, remembers the basics of his craft. On another note, Nigar Nurulla Khalilova evokes writers’ block and an intense, foul mood as harsh as the Arab Simoom wind.

Mesfakus Salahin ponders the fragility of human identity and self-concept. Mark Young’s poetry explores creative processes, relationships, and the search for meaning. Texas Fontanella’s music digs deep for a dose of duende. Tagrid Bou Merhi draws on train travel as a metaphor for introspection and longing for one’s past or future. Stephen Jarrell Williams crafts a series of verses describing a person’s inner struggle and renewal. Ari Nystrom-Rice explores identity, wondering who he truly is underneath the surface. Mexribon Shodiyeva’s poetry celebrates the fragile butterfly and the beauty of being yourself. Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna relates having had the courage to free herself from an unhealthy situation and walk her own path.

Paul Cordeiro speaks to the aftermath of significant relationships and events and to how our feelings can reshape our memories. On a less serious level, Mark Blickley develops a farcical story of unemployment fraud inspired by a photo of a man with a sheep skull, where a character invests deeply into reinventing himself.

On a more cosmic level, Jack Mellender’s work looks at space, time, and humanity’s place in the universe. Ummnusalma Nasir Mukhtar relates a fanciful and expansive dream where she traveled to the moon and stars and gathered her strength. Jacques Fleury’s photography encourages us to view life from different vantage points, exploring concepts as varied as travel, physical attraction, thought, and justice.

Duane Vorhees reflects on ancient archetypes and how we tell stories about ourselves. Sayani Mukherjee reflects on the constant turbulence of human and natural history. Dr. Jernail S. Anand probes some basic paradoxes of modern human life.

Rezauddin Stalin reflects on the beauty and the price of freedom as Blue Chynoweth reflects on the blessing and curse of being able to contemplate one’s place in the universe rather than living by instinct.

Mahbub Alam wonders whether love or self-destruction will win the day. As a person of faith grappling with these issues, Chimezie Ihekuna addresses life’s seemingly intractable struggles, suffering, and human evil, and also God’s implacable goodness in a paradoxical couplet of poems. Lilian Dipasupil’s paired poems take a similar approach, warning of child kidnapping while honoring the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

As writers, one of the ways we can respond to evil is to bear witness and document it as a warning. This is one of the roles of journalism. Davronova Asilabonu affirms the value of journalism and speculates on the field’s future.

More traditionally literary writing can bear witness as well. Yucheng Tao provides a sobering reminder of the historical massacres of the indigenous people of the American West by European settlers and of many Cambodians later in history by the Khmer Rouge. Z.I. Mahmud explores how Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles brought realism into detective fiction, illustrating the monstrosity of human greed and vengeance. Rahmat Muhammad laments how people where she lives in northern Nigeria no longer honor elders and ancestors as much as they should.

Yet, history has not all been bleak, and people have developed some magnificent works. Christopher Bernard reviews the energizing performance of Grupo Corpo at Berkeley’s Cal Performances, highlighting how the dances reflect various aspects of Brazilian culture. Federico Wardal outlines the accomplishments of celebrated actor Massimo Sangalli. Jeffrey Levert delves into history and philosophy as he wanders the back pathways of a remote Greek island. Graciela Noemi Villaverde poetizes on the beauty of old books and the sorrow of losing or forgetting the words inside.

Shuhratbekova Gulzoda describes the historical contributions of the humanist Jadid leaders of Uzbekistan to art, literature, science, and culture. Dilobar Maxmarejabova expresses her pride in her Uzbek heritage and her hometown of Qashqadaryo. Hashimjonova Durdana affirms her pride in her Uzbek heritage and culture. Nozima Gofurova outlines the many achievements of today’s Uzbek youth.

Bhagirath Choudhary points to the role of literature in terms of helping people and societies evolve to become more humane. Dr. Jernail S. Anand illuminates the power of art and literature to touch people’s hearts and souls and inspire wiser and more compassionate behavior.

Alexander Klujev highlights connections between Russian music and Russian philosophy and how both honor the triumph of life over death.

Various contributions celebrate different aspects of life. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva enjoys a picnic with her classmates on a sunny spring day. Su Yun evokes the struggle and beauty of flowers growing in an urban environment. Isabel Gomez de Diego photographs childhood exuberance in a neighborhood where humans coexist with nature, trees and bike paths near city apartments. Eva Petropoulou Lianou crafts a story around the evocatively named “Hero’s Path,” a hiking trail near a European monastery. She finds simple joy in nature and travel. Manik Chakraborty takes poetic inspiration from misty mountains as Taro Hokkyo honors his muse and the land on which he writes.

Marjona Jorayeva Baxtiyorovna expresses her respect for women and the feminine, which she links to nurturing and compassion. Gulsanam Qurbonova celebrates the tender nurturing of a mother’s love. Vo Thi Nhu Mai reflects on the warmth and tenderness of her childhood in Vietnam and how that inspired her creativity. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography captures vintage childhood images: Snoopy, old Easter themed toys, a colorful frog, even possibly Dad’s aftershave. David Sapp enters the mind of a three-year-old, excited about cereal and dogs. Marjona Jo’rayeva relates her enthusiasm for a fresh term at school.

Kristy Raines expresses the simple yet profound joy of two souls finding true love and choosing each other. Eid Saleh writes in English and Arabic of the meeting of souls in a similar way, and refers both to romance and to close friendship. Qaraboyeva Zilola expresses the tender urgency, trepidation, and obsession of young love. Marley Manalo-Ladicho ignites a fiery love feast in his poetry.

However, as Taylor Dibbert points out in his brief poem, romances, and other sources of happiness, aren’t guaranteed to last.

Tuliyeva Sarvinoz’ elegant poetry laments lost love as Mirta Liliana Ramirez honors the memory of a beloved, asserting that she’s not yet ready to move forward. Eva Petropoulou Lianou touches on the tenderness of human hearts and how many of us carry emotional trauma. J.J. Campbell’s poems describe a soul’s slow descent into misery and cynicism. Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal speaks to social and psychological entrapment, stuck with folks tired of his old stories. Linda S. Gunther’s short story “Bake Me a Banyan Tree” explores what we owe our loved ones and how far we would go for them.

Eric Barr’s poetry reflects the realities of navigating life after a stroke. Manik Chakraborty laments destruction caused by a fire as Mykyta Ryzhykh reimagines the Three Little Pigs into a futuristic dystopia in light of environmental destruction. Don Bormon evokes extreme desert heat and the specter of climate change.

Alex S. Johnson takes us on a mythical journey to transmute sorrow in a poem translated into Greek by Cassandra Alogoskoufi.

Sometimes what one needs to overcome suffering isn’t as complex as alchemy, but can just be time at home curled up with one’s cat. Nicholas Gunther’s poem describes a weary soul’s desire to return home after a long journey. Bill Tope’s short story explores how a senior cat helped bring an older woman out of depression after society made both feel useless.

We hope that Synchronized Chaos can inspire creativity, bear witness to the joys and pains of the world, and transform sorrow and stagnation. Please enjoy this issue!

Matqurbonova Ro’zaxon Zokirjon qizi

Samarkand state institute of foreign languages

rozaxonmatqurbonova17@gmail.com

Abstract: Speaking is one of the most important skills in language learning, requiring effective teaching methods to enhance learners’ communication abilities. This article explores various methods used in speaking lessons, emphasizing their impact on students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. It discusses the role of interactive, communicative, and task-based approaches in fostering better speaking skills. The findings suggest that a combination of different methods leads to improved student engagement and language proficiency.

Keywords: speaking skills, teaching methods, communicative approach, task-based learning, fluency

Introduction

Developing speaking skills in a foreign language requires a strategic approach that combines various teaching methods. Effective speaking lessons should focus on fluency, accuracy, and interaction to help learners become confident communicators. Traditional methods, such as grammar-translation and audiolingual approaches, have been supplemented with more interactive techniques, including communicative language teaching (CLT) and task-based learning (TBL). This article examines different methods used in speaking lessons and their impact on language learners.

Speaking is a fundamental skill in language learning, as it enables learners to communicate effectively in real-life situations. However, developing speaking proficiency requires a combination of different teaching methods that address fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Traditional approaches, such as grammar-translation and audiolingual methods, have often emphasized memorization and repetition, but modern methodologies focus more on interactive and communicative strategies to enhance speaking skills.

In recent years, language educators have integrated a variety of techniques, including Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and technology-assisted learning, to create engaging and student-centered speaking lessons. These approaches encourage meaningful communication, allowing learners to practice language in authentic contexts. Research suggests that a combination of these methods leads to better speaking performance by promoting spontaneous speech, interactive learning, and self-correction.

Many researchers have explored the effectiveness of different methods in teaching speaking skills. Brown (2007) emphasized that communicative competence should be the primary goal of language instruction, advocating for an interactive approach. Similarly, Richards and Rodgers (2014) analyzed various methodologies and highlighted the significance of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in fostering spontaneous speech.

Task-Based Learning (TBL) has also been widely researched. Ellis (2003) found that TBL enhances learners’ ability to use language in real-life situations by engaging them in meaningful tasks. Harmer (2007) supported this claim, arguing that task-based approaches promote fluency by reducing the fear of making mistakes.

Additionally, studies on language anxiety, such as Oflaz (2019), indicate that interactive methods help students build confidence and reduce speaking anxiety. Dörnyei and Ottó (1998) developed a process model of L2 motivation, suggesting that a positive classroom environment and engaging tasks play a crucial role in improving speaking skills.

Furthermore, the integration of technology in language learning has gained attention. Nation (2007) proposed the “Four Strands” framework, emphasizing the need for meaning-focused input and output. Asher (1969) introduced the Total Physical Response (TPR) method, which proved effective in developing oral proficiency, especially for beginners.

Method

This study explores the effectiveness of different methods used in speaking lessons to improve students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. The research was conducted in a classroom setting with language learners of various proficiency levels. A combination of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and interactive activities was implemented over a period of eight weeks.

Participants engaged in role-plays, discussions, debates, and real-life simulations. Fluency was encouraged through spontaneous speaking activities, while accuracy was addressed through targeted feedback and corrective techniques. Technology-assisted learning, including language learning apps and video recordings, was also incorporated to provide additional speaking practice.

Data was collected through classroom observations, student surveys, and oral assessments. Fluency was measured by the number of words spoken per minute, accuracy by grammatical correctness, and confidence by self-reported surveys and teacher evaluations.

Discussion

One of the most widely used approaches in speaking lessons is Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), which emphasizes real-life communication. This method encourages students to engage in dialogues, role-plays, and discussions, helping them develop fluency and confidence. Unlike traditional grammar-focused methods, CLT prioritizes meaning over form, making language use more natural and spontaneous.

Another effective method is Task-Based Learning (TBL), which involves learners completing meaningful tasks that require communication. Examples include problem-solving activities, debates, and simulations. TBL promotes active participation, enhancing students’ ability to use language in different contexts.

Interactive methods such as group work and pair discussions also play a crucial role in speaking lessons. These activities create a dynamic learning environment where students practice speaking in a supportive setting. Additionally, technology-assisted learning, including language learning apps, video conferencing, and AI chatbots, provides opportunities for learners to practice speaking outside the classroom.

Despite the benefits of these methods, some challenges exist. Learners may struggle with accuracy when fluency is prioritized, and some students may feel anxious about speaking in front of others. Teachers must balance fluency and accuracy by integrating corrective feedback without discouraging participation.

Results

The findings indicate that using a combination of different methods significantly improved students’ speaking abilities. CLT and TBL-based activities increased student engagement and fluency, with participants showing a 30% increase in spoken words per minute. Accuracy improved as well, particularly when corrective feedback was integrated into interactive tasks.

Student confidence also increased, with 85% of participants reporting that they felt more comfortable speaking in front of others after completing the speaking lessons. The use of technology, such as recording and playback, helped students identify their mistakes and self-correct, further enhancing their learning experience.

Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating various methods in speaking lessons leads to noticeable improvements in students’ communication skills. The combination of fluency-focused and accuracy-driven activities created a balanced approach, ensuring effective language learning.

Conclusion

Using different methods in speaking lessons enhances language acquisition by fostering fluency, accuracy, and confidence. A combination of communicative, task-based, and interactive approaches proves effective in engaging learners and improving their speaking skills. Teachers should adopt a flexible approach that meets the needs of diverse learners, ensuring that speaking lessons remain engaging and effective.

The use of different methods in speaking lessons plays a crucial role in developing students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and Task-Based Learning (TBL) have proven effective in promoting real-life communication and active student engagement. Interactive activities, such as role-plays, discussions, and debates, help learners practice spontaneous speech, while corrective feedback ensures grammatical accuracy.

The results of this study indicate that a combination of methods leads to better speaking performance compared to relying on a single approach. Students who participated in diverse speaking activities showed noticeable improvements in their ability to express themselves clearly and confidently. Additionally, the integration of technology-assisted learning provided further opportunities for practice and self-assessment.

To enhance speaking lessons, educators should adopt a flexible and student-centered approach, incorporating different strategies based on learners’ needs and proficiency levels. By balancing fluency-focused and accuracy-driven activities, teachers can create a dynamic learning environment that fosters both communication skills and linguistic competence.

References:

1. Brown, H. D. (2007). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.

2. Celce-Murcia, M. (2001). Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (3rd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.

3. Ellis, R. (2003). Task-Based Language Learning and Teaching. Oxford University Press.

4. Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching (4th ed.). Longman.

5. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

6. Thornbury, S. (2005). How to Teach Speaking. Pearson Longman.

7. Oflaz, A. (2019). “The Foreign Language Anxiety in Learning German and the Effects of Total Physical Response Method on Students’ Speaking Skill.” Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 70-82.

8. Dörnyei, Z., & Ottó, I. (1998). “Motivation in Action: A Process Model of L2 Motivation.” Working Papers in Applied Linguistics, 4, 43-69.

9. Nation, I. S. P. (2007). “The Four Strands.” Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1(1), 2-13.

10. Asher, J. J. (1969). “The Total Physical Response Approach to Second Language Learning.” The Modern Language Journal, 53(1), 3-17.

11. Germain, C., & Netten, J. (2011). “Impact de la conception de l’acquisition d’une langue seconde ou étrangère sur la conception de la langue et de son enseignement.” Synergies Chine, 6, 25-36.

12. Kormos, J. (2006). Speech Production and Second Language Acquisition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

13. Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The Psychology of the Language Learner: Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

14. Richards, J. C. (2008). Teaching Listening and Speaking: From Theory to Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

15. Thornbury, S. (2005). How to Teach Speaking. Harlow: Longman.

16. Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching (4th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Longman.

The Day

The day.

The day.

The day.

The day.

The day.

The day.

The day.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t.

The day.

The day.

The day won’t.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t start.

The day.

The day.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not.

The day is not getting.

The day is not getting.

The day is not getting anything done.

Anything done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

Done.

The day won’t done.

The day won’t get done with me.

The day won’t get done with me.

The day won’t get done with me.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t end.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t start.

The day won’t end.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

End.

The day.

The day won’t.

The day won’t.

The day won’t.

The day won’t.

The day won’t.

The day won’t.

Won’t.

The day.

Won’t.

The day.

Won’t.

The day.

The day.

I’m trying to get my life organized.

In Love

Anyone can fall in love

It’s staying in love

That’s truly special.

Taylor Dibbert is a poet in Washington, DC. He’s author of, most recently, “Takoma.”

                 “Here”

…To be hot in the dawn

of a beam-pumping sun

while its bent is to fawn

on the very third one

of its innermost planets

-a town there called Here –

(forget its griefs, fan its

small errors, its fear,

its unwitting decedents –

forgive its death-credence,

its opters-out present and past.)

To be there on that street is to last.

To be spun so close before so hot

a star is the happiest lot. …

                                    

“Bearings“

The earth’s diurnal twirl would appear    

to make her denizens vertiginous

but for precession’s happy wobble dance;   

it only seems like ev’rything is futile,

we’re not just going round in circles here,

revolving round the sun year after year –   

our Sol’s at rim of spinning Milky Way    

engaged in her ninth turn since time began,

but still, it’s not monotonously cyclic

for our galactic cluster heads somewhere:     

Since Milky Wayeans participate

along with our Andromedan confrers

in forces contrary, at any rate,,

to that entropic aging all life shares,

there may just be the actual up-side

of time-reverse, near immortality,

at least five billion years ’till we collide,

again one cosmic outwardness to see.

So add height to your posture, lilt to stride –

a loping lanky pace you can take on,

you grasp the basic linearity

of humankind’s loopy trajectory –

so you can choose to be dizzy no more,

the mind at last deciding to take heart –

the thoughtful mind that now cannot be bored.

“New Look at the Long View of the Big Picture”

Most galaxies seek loneliness.

It’s one of entropy’s decrees

they fly apart.  Such onliness

Our Milky Way can’t please.

It seems that we’ll win chaos’ joys;

we’ve found we hurl our spinning spiral

toward dear Andromeda’s shocked boys,

(though prob’ly nice).  We’re not so viral –

But now much less excusable must rate

that Earthlings war in spite of mortal fate.

…

                     Deities

Religiosos like to say

no greater love can man bestow

than when one gives his life away

to help a brother-man.  Although

they don’t cite paragons of lust,

by this ‘twould seem Desire’s king

were one who would a lover trust

to sate his comrade’s hungering.

Qashqadaryo — The Land of the Timurids

For every soul, the place of their birth holds an irreplaceable meaning.

For me, that place — Qashqadaryo — is not just my homeland, but the very source of my greatest happiness and pride.

No matter how many poems I compose or novels I write, I doubt I could ever truly capture the fragrance, the spirit, or the magic woven into a handful of Qashqadaryo’s soil. As a child, I sometimes dreamed of being born in the capital. I would wonder, «If I had been born in Tashkent, would I have had more opportunities?» Today, I smile at those innocent thoughts, for I now realize that my greatest fortune was being born in Qashqadaryo — the cradle of history, the land of timeless traditions. Even now, as I pursue my studies in the capital, a tender longing forever lives in my heart — a longing for my homeland, for the sweet memories of my childhood, for the scent of Qashqadaryo’s air, for the songs of its birds.

Whether I step outside or turn the pages of a book, this yearning quietly embraces me. Over the years, I have made friends across the world — in Iran, the USA, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and beyond. During our conversations, I often see admiration in their eyes. A friend from Washington State once told me: «You were born in a land worthy of pride. Every region of Uzbekistan is unique, but Qashqadaryo — the land of the Timurids — stands apart. And to be from Yakkabog‘ is a rare honor, for you share your homeland with the great Amir Temur himself.» Those words stirred a profound pride within me — a feeling I shall carry forever. Indeed, Qashqadaryo is a land like no other. Its air, its soil, the melodies of its birds — all are imbued with a unique spirit. Its people are hardworking, generous, open-hearted, and kind.

When misfortune befalls one, the entire village gathers to help. Our celebrations are truly special, especially during Navruz, our cherished spring festival, when young and old alike come together in joy. We simmer sumalak, organize traditional games, and send our brightest wishes soaring into the future. Among Qashqadaryo’s many treasures is our beloved national game — Kupkari. Here, young men display their courage and skill, galloping across the field as if racing toward their beloved. This sacred land has not only left its mark on history but also shines in the world of literature. The great poet Abdulla Oripov was born here, nurtured by the spirit of Qashqadaryo. Many other remarkable individuals who have served our nation with honor have also risen from this blessed soil. And so, with pride swelling in my chest, I say:

«I am proud to have been born in Qashqadaryo!»

Dilobar Maxmarejabova is a first-year student English, Philology and Language Teaching faculty of Uzbekistan’s Journalism and Mass Communications University.

The mood 

Cats lie on trash bins with tales pointed south,

Arabic Simoom blow high up to heavens.

The gawkers today better shut their own mouths,

The curious sand will get under the palate.

Cars hide under canvas that is set adrift

Dust busily gets under every eyelid.

The nature presents with a very harsh gift

The heart in the chest just refuses to beat.

Today I don’t love me and I don’t love you,

I’ll be the wind that makes all the roofs shutter.

Don’t mind me, friends, I’m feeling blue,

And verses are born that don’t really matter.

Nigar Nurulla Khalilova is a poet, novelist, translator from Azerbaijan, Baku city, currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is a member of Azerbaijan Writers Union. Nigar N. Khalilova graduated from Azerbaijan Medical university, holds a Ph.D degree. She has been published in the books, literary magazines, anthologies and newspapers in Azerbaijan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, USA over the years. Nigar N. Khalilova participated in poetry festivals and was published in the international poetry festivals anthologies. Conducted data in the Austin International Poetry Festival (AIPF), 2016-2017.