When you passed, thoughts of you only occupied my mind.
I held my pillow at night tightly, and during the day,
I busied myself tirelessly to keep from falling apart.
People say you feel like your heart is going to break.
Mine broke into such small pieces that I wondered
if it would ever be put together again.
I would look up at the sky at night sadly.
The stars used to make my wishes come true,
and the moon used to make me feel hopeful.
But then, they brought only memories of us.
The sun, I hoped, would warm me,
also turned away, leaving me cold inside.
I thought I would shrivel and die with you.
You could not run to me as I held out my arms.
Only in my dreams could I find you.
In my sleep, you wiped away my tears.
The presence of your spirit still wraps around me
when I miss you most.
Years later, I now think of you without such sadness
and bask in beautiful memories of us together instead…
Even though I am walking without you.
__________
Love is Perfect
You need never give up your life
nor give up all wins or costs for me
For no monetary value can be placed on love
And in the end, riches will mean nothing…
Only love will remain and never die
because my destiny you are
What God puts together can not be shaken
For it is through him that all good things come
In this life, things are given and taken away
And even a heathen can change his life
For love is perfect, and our prayers were answered
on the day we met, and will certainly remain far beyond death.
_________________________
Kristy Ann Raines was born Kristy Ann Rasmussen in Oakland California, in the United States of America.
She is an accomplished international poet and writer. Kristy has two self-published books on Amazon titled, “The Passion within Me”, and an anthology of epistolary poems, written with a prominent poet from India, Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai, titled, “I Cross My Heart from East to West”.
She has one children’s short story book coming out soon, titled “Tishya the Dragon”, and a few other children’s stories to follow.
Kristy is also working on finishing two very special fantasy books that have been in the works for quite a few years, titled “Rings, Things and Butterfly Wings” and “Princess and the Lion”.
She is also writing her autobiography titled “My Very Anomalous Life”.
It is her life story that few know about, and the many transformations she went through. She reveals every interesting and sometimes tragic aspect of her life. She shares her failures, victories, tears, joys, losses, heartbreaks, and how she changed, by the grace of God.
A loving family and how two wonderful children stood by her through her transformation to who she is today.
Kristy has received numerous awards for her distinctive writing style and her work as an advocate and humanitarian around the world.
Kristy also enjoys painting, making pottery, writing song lyrics, and being with her family.
She is married, has an older brother and sister, two wonderful children, and is a proud grandmother of three beautiful granddaughters. with one great-grandchild on the way!
Abstract: This paper examines the current state of philology as an academic discipline, highlighting its evolving relevance and the multifaceted challenges encountered in its instruction. While philology traditionally encompassed the study of language in historical and literary contexts, modern transformations in communication technologies, global education trends, and interdisciplinary research have reshaped its scope and pedagogical demands. The study outlines key concerns such as diminishing student interest, marginalization of classical languages, lack of technological integration, and outdated curricula. In addition, it discusses the insufficient training of philology educators and the institutional neglect of humanities in favor of more “practical” disciplines. Drawing on comparative analysis and educational reform theory, the article proposes several strategies to revitalize philological studies, including curriculum modernization, digital literacy enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy advocacy. Ultimately, the paper argues for a renewed understanding of philology as a dynamic, culturally enriching, and intellectually rigorous field that can meaningfully contribute to contemporary scholarship and education.
Keywords: philology, teaching challenges, classical languages, digital transformation, interdisciplinary studies, educational reform, curriculum design, linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, critical pedagogy.
Philology, long considered the bedrock of humanistic scholarship, involves the meticulous analysis of texts, languages, and cultural expressions across different historical periods. It integrates various domains of inquiry—linguistics, literary criticism, cultural history, semiotics, and philosophy—to provide a comprehensive understanding of how language both shapes and reflects human experience. At its core, philology is not merely the study of language structures but a profound engagement with the intellectual and cultural legacy embedded in textual traditions. Historically, philology played a central role in the formation of modern academic disciplines. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a dominant force in European universities, providing the methodological foundations for the study of classics, comparative literature, and historical linguistics. It enabled scholars to reconstruct lost languages, interpret ancient manuscripts, and trace the genealogies of ideas and literary forms. The contributions of philologists have been instrumental in preserving cultural memory and fostering intercultural understanding across generations.
However, in the 21st century, philology faces an identity crisis brought about by a range of internal and external factors. The rise of digital media, globalization, and shifting educational paradigms has profoundly transformed how knowledge is produced, transmitted, and valued. As a result, philology is often perceived as an antiquated discipline, disconnected from the pragmatic demands of contemporary society and job markets. The decline of interest in classical languages, the marginalization of textual analysis in favor of empirical or data-driven research, and the reduction of humanities funding further exacerbate this marginalization.
Furthermore, the specialization and compartmentalization of academic knowledge have contributed to the fragmentation of philology into subfields that often lack communication with one another. Literary studies, applied linguistics, and historical linguistics now frequently operate in isolation, diluting the integrative spirit that once defined philological inquiry. This disintegration poses a serious threat to the discipline’s coherence and pedagogical effectiveness. Yet, philology remains uniquely positioned to offer critical insights into language change, cultural continuity, and the intellectual heritage of civilizations. In an age marked by linguistic homogenization and cultural commodification, the tools and perspectives of philology are more necessary than ever. To reclaim its relevance, the discipline must not only reassess its methodologies but also embrace new pedagogical strategies, technological innovations, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Philology, as a discipline concerned with the critical study of texts and languages in their historical development, has undergone significant transformations. Once central to intellectual life, philology now contends with marginalization in an era dominated by STEM priorities and utilitarian educational policies. The traditional focus on classical languages and ancient texts has been replaced or de-emphasized in favor of fields deemed more “market-relevant.”
The rise of digital technologies and global communication has also reshaped textuality itself. Texts are now multimodal, hyperlinked, and collaborative, challenging philologists to expand their analytical frameworks. This evolving textual ecology requires a methodological shift from static, print-centered approaches to dynamic, interdisciplinary strategies that include digital humanities, corpus linguistics, and media studies. Failure to adapt risks rendering philology obsolete in the eyes of students and policymakers alike.
Furthermore, the disciplinary fragmentation of linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies, and philosophy has weakened philology’s integrative identity. Each sub-discipline has developed its own methods, terminology, and institutional structures, often at the expense of holistic inquiry. Reintegrating these domains under a renewed philological paradigm is essential for restoring the coherence and vitality of the field.
Many philology curricula still rely on traditional syllabi that emphasize memorization, grammar translation methods, and the study of canonical texts without fostering critical engagement. This approach fails to resonate with contemporary learners, who often seek relevance, creativity, and interdisciplinarity in their education. The lack of incorporation of current global issues—such as multilingualism, language endangerment, postcolonial theory, and digital literacy—further distances students from the discipline. Moreover, the teaching of philology is often disconnected from contemporary linguistic realities, such as language contact, sociolects, and the evolution of internet language. Without contextual grounding in real-world linguistic phenomena, philological studies risk appearing antiquated and detached from lived experience.
The waning institutional support for classical languages (e.g., Latin, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, Old Turkic) poses a grave threat to philological research. These languages are not merely vehicles of historical knowledge but are also essential for understanding foundational texts of civilizations. Simultaneously, many indigenous and minority languages—rich in oral and literary traditions—are underrepresented in philological study due to linguistic prejudice, limited resources, or geopolitical marginalization.
Neglecting these languages not only undermines cultural diversity but also diminishes the epistemological breadth of the discipline. The revitalization of endangered and marginalized languages must become a core concern of modern philological inquiry and teaching.
Another critical issue lies in the insufficient professional development of philology educators. Many instructors lack access to contemporary teaching methodologies, technological tools, and interdisciplinary frameworks. As a result, teaching often remains didactic and monologic, leaving little room for interactive or student-centered learning. Moreover, institutional frameworks frequently deprioritize philological programs in budget allocations, research funding, and hiring decisions. This structural neglect discourages young scholars from entering the field and limits opportunities for curricular innovation. Reversing this trend requires a strategic revaluation of the humanities within university governance and educational policy.
While the digital humanities have made notable progress, philology as a whole has been slow to adopt digital tools. Resources such as digitized corpora, text-mining software, annotation platforms, and digital archives offer unprecedented opportunities for analysis and pedagogy. Yet, these remain underutilized in most philological programs.
Incorporating these tools not only enhances the analytical capabilities of students and researchers but also opens new avenues for collaboration and public engagement. A digitally literate philologist is better equipped to navigate and interpret the complex textual landscapes of both the past and the present.
To align with contemporary academic and social contexts, philology curricula must be restructured to include modern literary and linguistic theories, cross-cultural textual studies, and thematic modules focused on topics such as identity, power, gender, and translation. Comparative studies across languages and cultures should be emphasized to promote intercultural literacy and global awareness.
Additionally, integrating modern languages and vernaculars into philological research can bridge the gap between classical and contemporary linguistic inquiry, thereby expanding the discipline’s relevance and reach.
Philology must reclaim its role as a hub of interdisciplinary exchange. Collaboration with fields such as anthropology, sociology, history, political science, and information technology can enrich philological analysis and broaden its impact. Joint programs and research projects that blend textual scholarship with empirical methods and digital tools can foster innovation while preserving core philological principles.
A reformed philological pedagogy should prioritize active learning strategies—such as close reading workshops, textual reconstructions, translation laboratories, and dialogic seminars. Students should be trained not only to interpret texts but also to question the epistemological assumptions underlying those texts and their own interpretive processes.
This reflexive approach cultivates intellectual autonomy, ethical sensitivity, and historical consciousness—qualities that are vital in both academia and civil society.
Adopting digital platforms such as TEI (Text Encoding Initiative), Voyant Tools, and online manuscript repositories can revolutionize how philological data is accessed and analyzed. Teaching students how to use such tools fosters digital literacy and provides them with practical skills applicable in diverse career paths.
Universities and research centers should invest in infrastructure, training, and open-access initiatives to democratize access to philological resources and enhance the visibility of the discipline globally.
Philology, though often perceived as a relic of classical scholarship, continues to hold immense relevance in understanding the linguistic, cultural, and intellectual trajectories of human societies. Its interdisciplinary nature allows for deep engagement with texts—not merely as linguistic artifacts, but as repositories of worldview, identity, and historical memory. As such, philology is not a discipline bound to the past; rather, it offers tools for critical reflection that are vital to navigating the complexities of the present and the uncertainties of the future.
Nevertheless, the contemporary academic and educational landscape poses significant threats to the sustainability of philological inquiry. Institutional neglect, the dominance of market-driven educational models, and the waning popularity of humanities subjects have led to declining enrollments, reduced research funding, and curricular marginalization. Compounded by inadequate pedagogical innovation and technological lag, these factors have created a crisis of identity and purpose within the discipline.
However, these challenges should not be viewed as terminal, but rather as catalysts for reform. This paper has argued that philology can—and must—adapt to contemporary realities through a multifaceted strategy. Key among these are the modernization of curricula to reflect current linguistic and cultural concerns, the incorporation of digital tools to enhance research and pedagogy, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge gaps between traditional and emerging fields of knowledge.
Moreover, re-centering philology in educational policy discussions is essential. Institutions must recognize that philological education fosters not only linguistic and textual competence, but also critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural literacy—skills that are indispensable in today’s interconnected and rapidly evolving world. Investments in faculty development, student engagement initiatives, and public humanities projects can help revitalize the discipline and reaffirm its societal value.
In conclusion, the future of philology depends on our collective willingness to reimagine its role within modern academia and beyond. By embracing innovation while remaining faithful to its intellectual foundations, philology can once again serve as a bridge between disciplines, cultures, and generations—ensuring its enduring relevance in both scholarship and education.
References
1. Pollock, S. (2009). Future Philology? The Fate of a Soft Science in a Hard World. Critical Inquiry, 35(4), 931–961.
2. Turner, J. (2014). Philology: The Forgotten Origins of the Modern Humanities. Princeton University Press.
3. Byram, M. (2013). Language teaching and intercultural competence. Multilingual Matters.
4. Hafner, C. A. (2017). Reimagining language pedagogy in the digital age. Language Learning & Technology, 21(1), 1–15.
5. McCarty, W. (2011). Digital Humanities and the Future of Philology. Literary and Linguistic Computing, 26(4), 409–424.
*** The cut-throat tale drowns me in blood A sweet heart gives me a heart attack My favorite eyes blind me The future pushes me away And only the snow supporting cool Of me
*** The bombs instead of thunder crossed three times as if they had metal fingers. Angels learn to cry. The rain is learning to drip. I teach my thoughts to sleep and flow like water. I teach my saliva to flow. I’m learning to rain. I’m learning to cross my fingers every time someone dies. My dreams for a nuclear bomb to explode inside me without pain are not feasible. Instead of me, other people who want to live are dying. I am learning to live. I am learning to die. I teach life. I teach death. I teach. I’m studying. I can’t do anything. I don’t know. The angels hit the wrong buttons with their tears and it rains nuclear bombs. My heart stops and the hair on my head freezes in admiration. Groin hair no longer grows. Thoughts no longer grow. I dream that my lover fucked me so hard as if a nuclear bomb exploded in my anus. Teach me to love. I’m learning to die of love. Why am I not able to live with love? My eyes are cloudy. I teach my eyes to see. My eyes are learning to read the gazes of lovers who are no more. I count the trees that are no more. I look at the stones that used to be houses. I am learning the word no. I teach death. I study death. Angels drool and I drink this drool like nectar. The water is tainted with anger. The stone is again a ruin. The stone learns to be silent again. The stone will remain silent until the very end, but then it will be too late. I’m learning to drown myself in peace. I teach stones to be silent. I am learning to be a rock. I am learning to drown. I can heat up. I’m already at the bottom. The water screams everything in the language of dead birds. I swallow sperm in the hope that this is the filling of a bomb. I swallow pills in hope. I teach nuclear bombs to sleep.
*** The bomb didn’t kill you. Why didn’t it?
I pretend to still love you. Why?
Happy cards fill my mailbox again. What’s that for?
Winter is counting down the new year again. For whom?
*** What to feed the silence with?
My stomach rumbles without your moans My sperm is empty without your hole My head bursts like a watermelon My name is ripped off my passport
[I’ve got your cocaine name scratched into my veins Oahhh!]
A lonely room turns into a sunken boat A cemetery crawls out from under the bed A blanket hides the gray hair that hasn’t appeared yet
Silence is fed with old age that still not come
*** No one is born in a cemetery but I’d like to die in a maternity ward waiting for something new. No one else will be born after me. No one will see the new birth through my eyes. No one will die after I die (at least I won’t see anything else). After I die, I will stop being afraid of death. I will also stop being afraid of life, because life is a slow death. My gills will grow back in the morgue. I’ll turn into a fish and breathe glass emptiness. I’ll be cut into pieces. But who will eat me? Silence. No one asks the fish anything. Night. The fish won’t tell anyone anything. The cast iron board will slowly cover eyes. The fish will float downstream. We are all drowned. We’re all lil’ drowners who’ve overcome the fear of swimming outside the mother’s belly. The cosmos outside the mother’s belly is silent. Space is also a liquid. Space is also a fish. Everything flows. We all flow out. We will never meet each other again. We’ll never find self again. We’ll never press your random button, God. A bird with a beak overflowing with fluid sings softly. Death gives birth to a nothingness. A tree gives birth to a flower.
S Afrose (Sabiha Afrose) from Bangladesh. She is a lover of poetry. Her journey started in August 2020. Gradually it’s turned into her passion. She has achieved many awards as tokens of love.
She has published so many poetry books, all available on Amazon Worldwide and other sites. Her YouTube channel is S Afrose *Muse of Writes* and her Facebook page is Muse of Words by S Afrose.
1. Please share your thoughts about the future of literature
The universe is vulnerable. We can’t get the right way. We feel hopeless once. But that’s not the option to move on. Then???
Look at there, the field of literary world. It’s amazing and beautiful. Anyone can get the soothing ray and the expressed way of the hidden mind. There are so many unspoken words. We can easily share this with the aesthetic aroma of the literary world. Don’t believe????
Let’s make a clear picture. War and war! It’s making the vulnerable and devastated platform overall. What can anyone see or say??? Nothing is in general.
That’s not. We need to aware the people around the world. People only want peace. No more violent arts.
Pls! Stop this war. Message spreads as the flying saucers. People can know the genuine thoughts at a time. That’s how, the Literature helps. So, we have to reserve this amazing and magical method after all.
Literature world will be the good messenger to hold all things, without any sort of restrictions; with its artistic essence around the universe.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING? ***************************
During the time of COVID-19, the total environmental state of the universe was distracted and too much pressurized. The vulnerable time acted as a fume for my journey in the Literature World. I started my work slowly on the online platform. But my love for the literary field was from my childhood. I love to read poetry and short stories books Specially science-fiction and detective series.
2 .The Good and the Bad.
Good and Bad- those exist as the dearest peers who fight with each other.
Good: Always shows love. Offers hand of friendship to all. Spreads the message of heart with love and respect.
Bad: Always comes with a devil’s mirth. Enjoys destroying every beautiful part of the earth. The world should be the hell, without the essence of love and respect.
Oh no! How pathetic!
Ridiculous this time. The global warming is upright. The ecosystem is falling down. Early morning losing its beauty. So sad! Universe is vulnerable with rising power of the global greed. That’s why, only fighting with power, War, killing people, destroy environment beauty, technology rampant,,,overall, losing the beautiful paradise by the human greed always.
Good cries and sleeping into a desert.
Bad smiles and enjoying its era with the Demoniors’ mart.
WHO IS WINNING IN NOW-A-DAYS *********************************** Though Bad is overlapping Good, using its penetrated news around the world, by global platform; we can’t escape from this situation. We have to ensure that still good is enough for resurrection the bad tempered souls all over.
The literary world has a wonderful power. It can show the possibility and positivity. It showers the petals of sophisticated and dreamy life. Living beings, all are here. People we are, have to declare for the good environment to live happily. We want peace. Don’t spread negative newsfeed. Use your power wisely. Your power, wisdom, enough to restore the lost rhythms of the earth. Hold the tears and spread and angelic fire.
Definitely good will survive and will hold all under the humanity umbrella, beneath azure’s hub.
I feel like that. So, I have to use my thoughts of mind, on the pages of the literary world. The power is inevitable.
3. How many books have you written And where can we find your books?
I have written many books both on Bangla and English, but mostly English poetry books. But there’s a short story book also. Most of the Bangla books were published in Bangladesh There are 35+ published poetry books. All are available on Amazon Worldwide and also other sites as usual.
For example- Woman, The Bride, Friendship, A new beginning, Lion’ Roar, Lost Lotus, Who I Am? Blood Sucker, VIBRANT THOUGHTS, A CUP OF TEA etc.
There’s my YouTube Channel: can access for the quick look at a time- S Afrose *Muse of Writes *, also Facebook page- Muse of Words by S Afrose
Recently, I am working as a part of editorial team. And my successful projects are- VIBRANT THOUGHTS, A CUP OF TEA, HAPPY NEW YEAR etc.
4. The book. e-book or physical book- What will be the future?
So many of us, are too busy attending to the prime artifacts of daily life, that’s why e-books are going to be a good way to help people access books and also a part of their rest.
But, paperbacks are always a better option to carry as a gift, and also the best friend for passing some good moments. It also acts as a reflection of the sweet memories. A souvenir for the family members. Nothing can beat the essence of reading a book, holding it in the hands; turning pages one by one, marking some words as the dearest arts. The precious gem for refreshing the mind overall.
Just imagine, on the easy chairs or midst the garden in beautiful weather, holding a cup of coffee with the dearest canvas of the words…just wow! This can’t be replaced by an e-book anyway.
5. A wish for 2025 The world is too dangerous for all the vulnerable living beings. The bombastic shimmers can’t be accepted anyway. * No War* * No Blood*
We all want to live on a peaceful planet. There should be love within all. Must be the bridge of friendship, wearing the crown of humanity. UNIVERSAL PEACE – this message is the prime gist now-a-days.
If want to say something, holding the hands of literature; then I have to say that, this Literature World has such a power to spread the message of heart and mind, around the world.
Positive emissions can see. Let’s say and spread- Unspoken words with the power of ink. The universe has to understand and love this passage heartfully. Through starlights of literature, we can make a friendly world.
A PHRASE FROM YOUR BOOK: There’s a poetry book of mine: *No War* I want to say some lines from this one.
“Stop grudges to protect earth for living happily & peacefully “
‘ Have a look At each nook When one door is closed, Anyway will try, Another will be here, Hope to see the smile ‘
A poem from the book
THE FLYING BULLET
Love to hear The lullaby Of dear parents.
Love? Can’t hear that song, This time.
The flying bullet. Believe or not, This is not applicable for the minds.
The flying bullet Now killing All the people.
No! We don’t want to see This nasty game of the bullet.
A BOOK YOU LIKE
I love all of my books. All are my lovely creations. My best friends. My Reflection of the Mind. So I can’t say anyone specifically. But if want to say now, then will love to share my beautiful soothing charm- A CUP OF TEA .
My dear best friends on this Literature realm have reflected their thoughts, using the magical power of quill. Love for all. Love the Literature World. Love my dear poetry paradise.
Thank you so much!
EVA Petropoulou Lianou Author and poet from Greece
My mother Silver hearts in her ears An apron over her black blouse Shimmery pink gloss on her lips With light blonde hair in waves behind her
Holds another’s life in her hands Bleach on to long and it will never be the same Flat iron too hot you’ll singe it right of Cut it to short and that’s months of growth ahead There are perils to a client and plenty of pitfalls for her hairdresser Knowing all this I watch in awe At the easy trust her client bestows And the gracious elegance my mother receives it with She is confident she’ll be happy with her hair And my mother is confident she will make her happy I am relieved that my job is much simpler.
Face scrubbed clean Velcro sandals in place Beaded play bracelet on my wrist Hair down along my back held in place by butterfly berets it swishes when I step
I am the sweeper Although I have many duties as the hairdressers daughter Fetching clean towels Holding the mirror steady My favorite job is getting to sweep Dark hair recently shorn of, litters the floor Broom in hand I shape it into a neat pile Careful not to miss a single strand This job is important, though discarded every piece carries weight Each took months to grow and where painstakingly cut Take it from the hairdressers daughter
Before we even step foot into work we prepare My mom stands in front of the mirror making a perfect face even more perfect I thoughtfully weigh out flower or butterfly clip Butterfly They have sparkles And mom says we should try and look our best
At the salon the other stylists Ashley High ponytail Christina Black short bob Gwen Messy bun with a claw clip Smile when they see me as they set up there stations Waiting for the beautiful people to come in Ready to make them even more so
I study the clients carefully as they walk in What starts out as a half hearted braid shuffling in might leave as a blowout strutting out Pin straight to a perm The person entirely changed along with it But it’s not just how they leave, but what takes place in the chair That matters
Client #1 is indecisive She has had practically every color and look under the sun yet still hasn’t found one to wear longer than a month Client #2 is old She is going gray so she’s decided to dye it all silver. That’s aging in style she says Client #3 is nervous She has prom coming up and she wants to be perfect Client #4 is ready She is going for a promotion at work. She wants to look like a big business lady so maybe she’ll feel like one
I blame it on the mirrors You can’t stare at yourself like that for hours and not get to thinking You can do that at a salon think You can count on the hairdresser to talk with if you need it The hair sweeper to keep things clean And that when you leave even if nothings been figured out If nothing’s changed but the hair on your head You’ll feel a little bit better
Ours Now
We saved the bedroom for last We said it was because it was in the back of the house Made sense to start in the entry The living room The kitchen The bathroom Everything but the bedroom Anything but the bedroom Until now Because even now With the rest of the house in dumpsters
I open the door See the bed And stop Faded floral sheets tucked in The white comforter smoothed out It’s made, The beds made That’s what’s different It was never made before Because she was always in it I still expect her to be in it It’s still expected that we Shuffle in single file avoiding the cups of cold tea Bunched up tissues balanced on stacks of magazines Pushing aside odds and ends To make a path, to the bed Where she waits with her hand outstretched, spotted and knobbled Her shock of white hair spread across the pillow like a halo Drooping eyelids struggling to stay open I can’t call her fragile You can’t struggle for that long and be fragile
She was buried two towns over But that room With the vanity now dusty Crammed full of costume jewelry and expired cosmetics Overflowing closet with now moth eaten wardrobe Was her real mausoleum It was sacrilege to even enter But we did We entered with trash bags and gloves and spray cleaner All because a piece of paper said it was Ours now This house that I can only remember a handful of visits too
That the smell of cats and dust and age drove us out off Was ours Because it’s what she would have wanted
My little sister said it was haunted I said it wasn’t She hadn’t died here after all She died in a bright white room that smelled of disinfectant She died surrounded by family That she couldn’t recognize anymore But we cried for her anyways I cried so hard she called me over Voice slow and drifting Why are you crying little girl And that made me sob louder
When we sorted The trash pile tripling the keep We didn’t talk Not when someone stared of in the distance Or sat and cried Because if we stopped every time To feel the cool jade beads of a bracelet she always wore Marvel at the birthday card we made and for some reason she still kept Flip through the worn pages of the bible she preached If we stopped every time the memories were too much to bear We would never finish.
So we Peeled away yellowed wallpaper Pried of sunflower tiles Pulled up the green carpet A home turned into a gutted out house And it was done Except it wasn’t Because now we would live here No point having it sit there empty, Right
I don’t know when it became our house It wasn’t when we painted the walls grey Or put in grey floors And moved into our grey little house I wondered if we would always be imposters Who dared put food in the fridge And their coats in the closet Squatters In a house waiting for its real owner to come back Home
Lili Lang is 16 years old and lives in California, USA. Lili is a sugar addict who loves all things sweet and spends her time reading and plotting literary world domination. She has her head perpetually in the clouds and is a cat person at heart, or at least she would be if she wasn’t allergic. Lili is a CSSSA Alum and Writegirl Mentee. She is an LA Youth Poet Ambassador. Her work has been previously published in Under The Madness Magazine and Girls Right The World.
As the two exiting northern and southern hemisphere
Our emblazing heart will sleep in peace for years in grave
When we will get up again, life’s another chapter will begin.
Give me your sweet laugh
We discover the forever green atmosphere
The leaves swing in the breeze by the river
Life is a bond
The entity of two makes one.
People dream for making a place in Mars
It needs force to encounter the gravitation
We go forward leaving all the wastes behind
From one to another planet
Our blink for the same mirror
Nothing can smash the glass to look into the broken frame.
Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
12 June, 2025.
Md. Mahbubul Alam is from Bangladesh. His writer name is Mahbub John in Bangladesh. He is a Senior Teacher (English) of Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. Chapainawabganj is a district town of Bangladesh. He is an MA in English Literature from Rajshahi College under National University. He has published three books of poems in Bangla. He writes mainly poems but other branches of literature such as prose, article, essay etc. also have been published in national and local newspapers, magazines, little magazines. He has achieved three times the Best Teacher Certificate and Crest in National Education Week in the District Wise Competition in Chapainawabganj District. He has gained many literary awards from home and abroad. His English writings have been published in Synchronized Chaos for seven years.
