At the National Gallery

He’s at the National Gallery

In London

And he realizes

That the people 

Who speak loudly in museums

Probably deserve

Whatever happens to them.

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

More than Enough

Take it out

and spin it in your hand

as if that is what

it was always meant to do.

These are the moments that see us

undeniably under,

promising things physically impossible

to come through with.

But still,

it’s the hope

that proceeds everything,

and most days,

that’s more than enough.

The Interim

A rock embedded in the wall

near the bottom of a canyon

knows nothing of the constant pressure,

the massive force under which it operates,

because that’s all it’s known

since before history,

or somewhere thereabouts.

You see, it’s all about perspective,

stretching that timeline to the

far reaches of our collective imagination,

neverminding the present troubles,

or at least shrinking them

to their true infinitesimal form.

But it’s so hard to practice this zen

when every horizon

illuminates the suffering of

everyone

who could be anyone

who could be you.

On a long enough timeline,

everyone’s survival rate

drops to zero,

but what we do in the spaces

between where the string is cut

is what matters,

whether we choose to

plant

or paint

or burn.

Consequences

Mom told me

if I messed with raw meat,

especially raw birds,

I’d get sick and die.

It was a practical warning,

since we lived out in the woods;

feral cats

and coyotes

and stray dogs

always leaving half-eaten presents

that she didn’t want me covered in,

because who knew when

the well would run dry,

and a drive to town

just for a shower at the Y

was always such a hassle.

So, defiantly standing in that trailer

in 198-whatever,

I laid a palm flat on the

package of uncooked chicken.

It was still frozen,

so cold, it didn’t take long

for my hand to begin to hurt.

I pulled it away,

and rubbing it, thought:

If I die, I’ll be in so much trouble.

Weather Report

She stands under a rotting eve,

waiting for the

storm to pass.

This has been going on

longer than she can remember;

seeking questionable shelter

from a life that

continuously dumps.

Regardless of her

ample experience,

she always finds herself

soaked in some way.

But right now,

as nothing physical but sunshine

threatens her day,

she hides,

because everything is a storm

when she refuses to see

anything else.

Trees flutter in the breeze,

no cars pass to thicken the air;

it’s all a reflection of

someone else’s ideal.

There’s little but desolation behind her,

and all she can see ahead

is the unveiled threats

of an uncaring world.

A cloud purer than watercolor

passes overhead,

but all she can envision

is the coming torrent.

She stands under a rotting eve,

waiting for the storm to pass,

but it never does.

Sunrise

We admit that we see things

only from forgotten corners;

a less than desirable perspective,

but it’s the one we’ve got,

flowering from a slant view,

we see little but refractions,

and we use those to create

our own infractions,

pulverizing the semblance

of community,

terrorizing any sense of

coming to balance.

Last night,

tonight,

tomorrow;

it all blends into a blandness

felt by all,

but acknowledged by none.

So we see these things

only from forgotten corners,

but sometimes

we can look to and from afar,

and can almost make out

a new horizon.

James Benger is the author of several books of poetry and prose. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Writers Place, and the Riverfront Readings Committee, and is the founder of the 365 Poems in 365 Days online workshop. He lives in Kansas City with his wife and children.

Black Wings

‘Twas the night before they hooted echoes of cackling laughter 

that played a loathing symphony;

knotted joints grasped the veins of empty melodies,

in hopes that someone would notice their song;

cobweb strings mourned,

as the roots anchored dust into its wooden body–

tilted softly along the whispers of dusk–and

entrapped notes being forgotten, gingerly;

pressing black and white muffled the air,

how stagnant they were under her ethereal beauty 

as she breathed warmth in their cadaver,

and hushed them a lullaby;

yet, one would only see the angelic dusts

flying ever so gently under the nacreous clouds of the evening, 

above the obscure fields of daffodils; 

their shadows pirouetted under the moon,

and they ambitiously started plinking,

caressing the void notes,

along the breaths of velvet, dark green Earth;

I heard them. 

The Korean Flower

Her glass drops reflect the eyes 

she once had sown,

as she sinks into the innocence that never 

drifted away 

A soft breeze swirls her silver hair as she 

slowly collapse 

her wrinkled eyes,

brim her lips 

with the last water,

cascades of them 

she last colored, 

kisses of sun bleeds through her body

Petals she collected in her vase,

withered too soon before goodbye–their

picturesque shades soak the 

great emerald beauty, floating 

Roses of Sharon on its gentle shivers,

and how she watch her fingers slip away from those

fading memories and the blooms

Gentle laughter of her children echoed like wind chimes,

each mellow tune harmonizing in her ears

and then she saw–

her daughter’s warm tears trickling down, her 

trembling hands cradling the weathered palms

that once taught her how to hold the world

With her last breath, the mother whispers one final lullaby for her daughter:

when mother leaves to pick oysters in the shadows of the island,

the baby stays behind alone, watching over the house

then, to the lullaby sung by the sea, 

slowly and gently, the baby falls asleep,

hoping that her daughter would marvel at the 

ephemeral Nature and one day realize 

how petals perish 

beautifully.

Last Moments with the World

A mother’s wail drifted through the gust of waves,

beware of him who walks where echo fades.

Clung her tight from the

Devil’s hand–choking,

eating those

fleshes 

gargling Death before it spoke

hushed by the piercing wind

Is that what it feels like–to be

Justified? 

Kingdoms fall

like lullabies luring a child to 

marvel at the synchronous aurora and dirge 

Nature sings so calmly,

one day it will realize 

petals wither with with beauty too cold to touch

quivers of sand and wind 

rocked the ship 

side-to-side 

tilting the decks

until all that it left was the

vulnerability a human endures–how they 

writhed.

xanthic light flickers between the rumble while her

yearning carved on the woods

zipped shut by the deep hush.

Jian Yeo is a student of poetry based in Massachusetts, where the changing seasons and scenic landscapes serve as a constant source of inspiration for her work. She is currently a student, balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for writing. 

Previously appeared in Romance Buds, and Butterflies

Asha sashayed across the London tavern floor, looking every bit the exotic, strikingly beautiful Indian ex-pat. As she walked, men turned on their barstools to regard her, thinking, I’d like some of that. But Asha was not available, at least not to them.

Ignoring the others, she stopped at a table in the center of the saloon, where sat an 80-ish man, gray at the temples, and with a slight tremor in his hands. He seized his cane and made to stand up, but Asha held up her hand to stop him.
“Don’t get up, Ari,” she said, taking a seat by his side.

Across the tavern, covetous men shook their heads, bewildered at Asha’s choice.
“Have you been waiting long?” she asked.
Ari shook his head no. He seemed to have difficulty speaking.

Suddenly Asha moved, leaning into Ari and throwing her arms about him and kissing him affectionately on the cheek. She squeezed him tight.
The spectators in the bar rolled their eyes and tossed back their drinks, puzzled by the apparent attraction of the old man to the stunning woman.

“What’s that all about, Fahey?” a large, attractive man dressed in the garb of a construction worker asked the bartender.
Fahey said, “I can’t say for sure where it began, Mike, but I’ve heard rumors from those that know one or the other of them. Ari was an upper class Brit in the colonial days. Some of them were right bastards but he was one of the good ones. He did what he could to help the locals. Asha’s family was quite poor, but Ari got her father a good job as a government bureaucrat. Got a good paycheck for signing papers, and making low-level decisions. As a result, Asha’s family and Ari’s socialized a lot. Asha’s family learned about Britain, and Ari’s family learned about India. When they first started socializing Asha was two years old, and Ari was a forty-year-old man with a wife the same age.”

“How old is she now?” inquired Mike.
Fahey shrugged. “Around 40? Anything else you want to know?” he asked archly.
The irony of the remark was lost on the other man. “Is she involved with the old man, or is she a…free agent?”

“My man,” said Fahey, with a knowing grin, “nothing in this life is free.”
“How about you introduce us?” asked Mike.
Fahey began to wipe down the bar. “You’re a little late,” he said.
“You mean…” began Mike.

Fahey nodded. “They’re married.” When Mike looked lost, the bartender continued, “Ari lived in India until about ten years ago, when he began to get dementia. Ari’s wife, Mabel, moved them back to London to their old home so he’d be in more familiar surroundings. About five years ago, his wife became terminal and she contacted Asha and she came to the city almost immediately. She moved in with them and took care of them both. Then, a year ago, when Mabel died, Asha and Ari got married so that it was acceptable for the culture for them to live together. You understand?

Mike did understand, and gazed with compassion and admiration across the tavern at a true love story.

                                                                   

Discipline as a social event and pedagogical process: The statute of pre-school education in Uzbekistan and the role of it in bring up kids.

Student of Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages

Faculty of English Philology, Teaching Methodology,

 and Translation Studies, Nazarova Moxiniso

Muhammadaliyevamohiniso2003@gmail.com

Abstract: This article examines discipline as a pedagogical and social phenomenon in Uzbekistan’s pre-school education system. It explores the impact of legal statutes, teaching practices, and cultural values on children’s behavior and moral development. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between educators, families, and institutional frameworks. The study highlights how consistent routines, positive reinforcement, and respectful communication shape early childhood discipline. It argues that discipline is not punishment, but a means to guide children toward empathy, self-control, and responsible citizenship. The article provides practical insights for educators and policymakers aiming to improve disciplinary approaches in early education settings in Uzbekistan.

Keywords: Discipline, early childhood, preschool education, Uzbekistan, pedagogy, legal statutes, moral development, behavior, upbringing, socialization, child psychology, communication, teachers, families, routine, self-regulation.

Аннотация: В статье дисциплина рассматривается как педагогическое и социальное явление в системе дошкольного образования Узбекистана. Анализируются влияние нормативных актов, педагогической практики и культурных ценностей на поведение и нравственное развитие детей. Подчеркивается взаимодействие между педагогами, семьями и институтами. Исследование показывает, как постоянный режим, позитивное подкрепление и уважительное общение формируют дисциплину в раннем возрасте. Доказывается, что дисциплина — это не наказание, а средство воспитания эмпатии, самоконтроля и ответственности. Статья содержит практические рекомендации для педагогов и разработчиков политики в области раннего детского воспитания.

Ключевые слова: Дисциплина, ранний возраст, дошкольное образование, Узбекистан, педагогика, законодательство, нравственное развитие, поведение, воспитание, социализация, детская психология, общение, учителя, семьи, режим, саморегуляция.

Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada intizom O‘zbekiston maktabgacha ta’lim tizimida pedagogik va ijtimoiy hodisa sifatida tahlil qilinadi. Bolalarning xulqi va axloqiy rivojiga qonunlar, tarbiyaviy amaliyotlar hamda madaniy qadriyatlarning ta’siri o‘rganiladi. O‘qituvchi, oila va muassasalar o‘rtasidagi o‘zaro hamkorlik alohida e’tiborga olinadi. Intizomni shakllantirishda muntazamlik, ijobiy rag‘batlantirish va hurmat asosidagi muloqot muhim rol o‘ynashi ko‘rsatiladi. Maqolada intizom jazolash emas, balki bolalarni empatiya, o‘zini boshqarish va ijtimoiy mas’uliyat sari yo‘naltiruvchi vosita sifatida baholanadi. Amaliy tavsiyalar pedagoglar va siyosat ishlab chiquvchilar uchun keltirilgan.

Kalit so‘zlar: Intizom, erta yosh, maktabgacha ta’lim, O‘zbekiston, pedagogika, qonunchilik, axloqiy rivojlanish, xulq-atvor, tarbiya, ijtimoiylashuv, bolalar psixologiyasi, muloqot, o‘qituvchilar, oilalar, tartib, o‘zini boshqarish.

Introduction

Discipline is a fundamental component of any educational system and a key mechanism in shaping children’s behavior, values, and attitudes from early childhood. In Uzbekistan, pre-school education serves as a foundational stage in which discipline is introduced not only as a social necessity but also as a pedagogical aim. Pre-schools are often children’s first formal social environment beyond the family, making them vital platforms for social and moral education. Here, discipline evolves beyond mere obedience to become a holistic process that fosters emotional, moral, and cognitive development. This article examines how discipline operates within the legal and educational framework of Uzbekistan’s pre-school system and evaluates how educators and parents collaboratively instill socially responsible behavior in children.

Discipline in educational theory is generally regarded as the structured means by which children learn self-regulation, acceptable behavior, and respect for social norms. Prominent educational thinkers such as Rousseau, Dewey, and Vygotsky offered unique interpretations of discipline. Vygotsky emphasized the social roots of development, arguing that discipline is acquired through interactions with adults and peers. Dewey viewed the school as a miniature society where children learn cooperation and responsibility through experience. These theories support the idea that discipline should not be punitive but should guide children toward internalizing values and developing autonomy.

From a sociological perspective, discipline is a process of integrating the individual into society. Children grow up surrounded by cultural expectations, and discipline helps them navigate these norms. In Uzbekistan, social traditions emphasize respect for elders, humility, and cooperation. These values are reinforced in pre-school environments, where educators model appropriate behavior and social expectations. Through structured routines, peer interactions, and guided play, children learn to internalize the behavioral standards of their community. Teachers thus act not only as educators but also as cultural transmitters.

Pedagogically, discipline aims to create an environment conducive to learning, cooperation, and personal growth. In Uzbek pre-schools, discipline is embedded in the structure of the day—through scheduled activities, routines, and consistent expectations. Teachers employ strategies such as positive reinforcement, storytelling with moral messages, and structured group activities to help children practice patience, empathy, and self-control. Discipline is seen as a proactive process where children are encouraged to understand the consequences of their actions and learn problem-solving skills through guided reflection.

Teachers in Uzbekistan’s pre-school institutions are central to implementing effective disciplinary strategies. Their training includes modules on developmental psychology, behavioral management, and conflict resolution. Teachers are encouraged to use age-appropriate, respectful methods to guide behavior, such as storytelling, songs, role-play, and visual cues. A key component of their role is emotional modeling—children observe how teachers react to stress, resolve disputes, and interact with others, and they often mirror these behaviors. Thus, teachers must demonstrate calm, fairness, and empathy to foster the same in their students.

Discipline is most effective when schools and families work in harmony. In Uzbekistan, there is strong cultural emphasis on family involvement in child upbringing. Parents are regularly engaged through meetings, home-school communication diaries, and parenting workshops. Many families uphold values that align with school expectations, such as obedience and community orientation. However, discrepancies between traditional parenting methods and progressive educational approaches can create tensions. For instance, some parents may expect stricter discipline, while schools promote positive, non-punitive strategies. Effective collaboration and family education programs help bridge these differences.

Modern educational philosophy increasingly supports child-centered approaches that emphasize positive discipline. This method focuses on understanding children’s perspectives and guiding their behavior through dialogue and empathy. In Uzbek pre-schools, positive discipline might involve allowing children to make simple choices, engaging them in rule-making, and encouraging peer-to-peer problem-solving. For example, instead of scolding a child for interrupting, a teacher might explain the importance of taking turns and praise the child for showing patience. This encourages internal motivation and fosters emotional intelligence.

Field observations in various Uzbek pre-schools illustrate the practical application of discipline in everyday learning. In one example, teachers used a “feelings corner” equipped with toys and emotion cards to help children express their moods and resolve conflicts. Another school implemented a peer helper system where older children modeled appropriate behavior for younger ones. Daily routines included storytelling sessions focused on moral lessons, cooperative games, and structured transitions between activities. These practices show that discipline is not treated as a separate activity but is integrated into the overall learning process.

Despite progressive policies and practices, several challenges remain in implementing effective discipline. Large class sizes can make individualized attention difficult. Some teachers, particularly in rural areas, lack access to continuous professional development in child-centered techniques. Furthermore, traditional disciplinary methods such as verbal correction or shaming still persist in some settings. Without strong monitoring and support, it can be difficult to shift from authoritative models to more empathetic, educational approaches. Addressing these issues requires policy enforcement, teacher training, and cultural awareness.

Discipline within Uzbekistan’s pre-school education system serves as both a socializing agent and a pedagogical foundation. It reflects cultural values, legal standards, and educational goals aimed at raising morally responsible, emotionally balanced, and socially aware children. With ongoing reforms and greater collaboration among educators, families, and policymakers, discipline can continue to evolve toward more compassionate, child-centered practices that support holistic development.

References

1. Abdullaeva, G. (n.d.). Child psychology and education: The Uzbek perspective. Tashkent State Pedagogical Press.
2. Ahmedov, D. (n.d.). Educational reforms in Uzbekistan: Foundations and progress. Samarkand Academic Press.
3. Akhmedova, S. (n.d.). Developing emotional intelligence in early childhood. Bukhara University Press.
4. Alimov, R. (n.d.). The cultural dimensions of discipline in Uzbek society. Andijan Cultural Studies Press.
5. Baxromova, N. (n.d.). Family involvement in early childhood education. Ferghana Education Press.
6. Dustova, M. (n.d.). Integrating positive discipline into the Uzbek curriculum. National Pedagogical Review.
7. Islomova, Z. (n.d.). Teachers as role models in pre-school education. Tashkent Early Childhood Journal.
8. Juraev, K. (n.d.). Social norms and moral development in Uzbek pre-schools. Regional Educational Research.
9. Karimov, B. (n.d.). Legal frameworks for pre-school education in Uzbekistan. Tashkent Legal Studies Press.
10. Mamatova, F. (n.d.). Classroom management strategies for early years teachers. Namangan Teacher Training Series.
11. Nazarova, D. (n.d.). The role of routine in child development. Central Asian Pedagogy Review.
12. Rashidov, S. (n.d.). Parenting styles and discipline in Uzbek families. Journal of Social and Family Research.
13. Tojiboyeva, O. (n.d.). Pedagogical innovations in Uzbekistan’s pre-schools. Modern Education Series.

As an educator, Nazarova Moxiniso is deeply interested in preschool pedagogy, child development, and innovative teaching practices that support holistic education.

Whispers to You (Beloved Mother)

At night I climb where the wind can hear,

The stars above feel somehow near.

Clouds drift slow, like her gentle hands,

Still guiding me through life’s strange lands.

I tell the sky the words for my mom I save,

Stories I wish, to her I gave.

The moon just listens, the stars don’t reply,

In silent light in the midnight sky.

Though she’s far, I still believe,

In every breeze, her love I receive.

Wazed Abdullah is a student of grade ten in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

Our publication expresses great sorrow at the suffering in Gaza. We call for the return of the hostages, for an end to the siege, and for humanitarian aid to be allowed in for the starving people of the region. To support the people of Gaza, you may contribute to the Middle East Children’s Alliance.

Also, For the Writers, a manuscript coaching service, seeks to document what’s happening in the region by compiling first-person journalistic narratives from anyone of any background in Gaza. They’ll put the stories live on the site to create a digital archive to bear witness to history. Writing is invited from those in the region, of all faiths, races, or national backgrounds.

Here’s another announcement from J.B. of Heterodox Haiku:

I am whipping up another modest lil issue of our journal, and just wanted to extend a hearty invitation in case you might have a poem or essay which you are looking for a great home for that could fit into small showcase we are assembling! The theme is ‘contrarians’, you could submit up to 10 haiku or senryu for consideration challenging assumptions and conventions of society, government, or English Language Haiku (especially! :D) for consideration. Please send work to jbphotography746@yahoo.com

Now, for our first August issue: Longings of the Heart.

Rizal Tanjung reviews poetry from Eva Petropoulou Lianou on human needs and emotions. Mark Young’s poetry explores our human quest for identity and agency from various angles. Amirah Al-Massif wanders through dreams, madness, existence, and perception. Alan Catlin evokes harsh landscapes where life dies, evolves, and regrows.

Strider Marcus Jones probes the search for truth, memory, history, beauty and love. Abdijabborova Sabrina considers both the richness of world culture embedded in linguistic metaphors and the challenges diverse metaphors pose for cross-cultural communication. Mesfakus Salahin reflects on humanity’s journey through the ages and on what makes a civilization. Mahbub Alam wonders at the great variety of world climates and events: peace in some places, suffering in others. Rus Khomutoff poetizes about memory and nostalgia and living in multiple places in one’s mind. Christina Chin and Jerome Berglund observe smaller and larger ways living creatures navigate the world and assert their existence.

Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poems express the longings of the human heart for intimate love, global peace, food, meaning in life, and nurturance. Hanan Abdelkader Ashour sings of the simple, yet meaningful, essentials of hope and love. Chorshanbiyeva Gulnoza Akrom outlines key moments in the emotional development of babies and young children. Eshtemirova Jasmina honors the support parents give children of all ages. Ilhomova Mohichehra urges young students to respect teachers who are devoting their minds and hearts to helping them learn. Sitora Sodiqova reflects on the consistent love and care she receives from her mother, as do Gulnoza Valiyeva, Boyqobilova Nargiz Alimardonovna and Zahro Kahramonova. Bibixanifa Jumanazarova speaks poetically of the care and concern she receives from her mother as Manik Chakraborty rhapsodizes on tender parental and romantic love. Graciela Noemi Villaverde rhapsodizes with elegance on her shared memories with the love of her life. Eva Petropoulou Lianou whispers tenderly of love and friendship and the support one needs for artistic imagination.

Mykyta Ryzhykh wonders how to stay human in the face of numbing devastation. Iduoze Abdulhafiz renders colonialism into the language of science fiction, with an alien protagonist pondering concepts of parasitism and existence. Bill Tope mourns the lives broken because of homophobia and transphobia and illustrates how far some people have to go into self-delusion to survive. James Tian lampoons hypocrites who demand that others care for land they themselves trample. Don Bormon shows respect to those who took to the streets for justice during a recent Bangladeshi student protest. An anonymous writer in the United States declares independence from the current presidential administration. Otabayeva Khusniya takes a fresh look at George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm with an eye to how well-intentioned revolutions can end up replicating old injustices if power imbalances remain.

Some contributors look into various realms of human creativity. Yongbo Ma reviews poet Deborah Bogen on her inspirations and journey as an artist. Duane Vorhees crafts burnished pieces concerning art and creation, particularly how one’s poems can embody and become their subjects. Patrick Sweeney’s one-line monostichs craft nuanced thoughts in single lines. Mauro Montakkyesi reviews Dr. Jernail Singh Anand’s sci-fi work of moral philosophy Epicasia. Karimova Navbaxar Mahmudjanovna encourages teaching children the art practice of applique to enhance skill and creativity and advocates for reforms in Uzbek preschool education and for the use of innovative technological approaches. Sevara Uzaqova considers the value of blended instruction for second-language English learners. Panoyeva Jasmina O’tkirovna and Sevara Uzaqova share methods for language learning that focus on real-life conversation and application as Muattar Tursunboyeva shares ways to teach language arts that inspire student creativity.

O’ktamova Shakxnozabonu outlines techniques for tooth implantation and post-treatment care. Ahmadova Sarvinoz discusses treatments for dental cavities. Boyqobilova Nargiz Aliamardonova relates the importance of uninterrupted sleep to human mental and physical health. Sabina Nafasova outlines theories about the value of incarceration in public safety and offender rehabilitation. Sattorova Mohinur Lazizovna explores methods for efficient water conservation in industrial processes. Faizullayeva discusses environmental issues concerning the atmosphere and advises on sustainable practices. G’ayratbek Toshmuxamedov outlines his own journey as an athlete and an academic. Sattorova Mokhinur highlights the importance of English language learning to young people’s ability to succeed in the modern world.

Muqimova Nazora celebrates the beauty and creativity of computer coding. Surayyo Nosirova highlights her inspirational experience at animation technology camp. Jasmine Rashidov considers modern communication technology and social media to ultimately be beneficial to young people’s cultural exchange and education, despite negative effects such as cyberbullying. Ismoilov Muhammadmirzo points out uses for technology for mapping and data processing functions in predictive ecology.

Maftuna Rustamova affirms the potential for young students and researchers to accomplish much in science. Muslima Olimova showcases the innovation and achievement of the students at the new Uzbek technology and career center Muslima Academy and the amazing potential of Uzbekistan’s students and digital entrepreneurs. Urazaliyeva Sarvinoz Saidakhmadovan shares a moving tale of a rural family determined to educate their children. Khumushbibi Kholikulova acknowledges the incredible potential of Uzbekistan’s young women to succeed in many different areas, as Olimova Sevara explores the many ways Eastern European women’s lives changed for better and worse with Soviet modernization.

Zumrad Sobirova sings the praises of her independent Uzbek homeland. Mahzuna Habibova urges her fellow Uzbek nationals to draw courage from patriotism and the glory of their country. Shahnoza Ilnar qizi Allayarova sings of the virtues of the Uzbek people and of the dignity of the nation. Maftuna Rustamova praises Ghulam Shomurod’s book The Value of the Great, which highlights important figures in Uzbek history and encourages young people to emulate them. Dilobar Maxmarejabova urges the world’s youth not to ignore or denigrate their own cultural heritages in this age of globalization. Ermatova Dilorom Baxodirjonovna describes and celebrates traditional Uzbek clothing. Xavier Womack reflects on how each of us learns from and contributes to the lives of others around us as Isaac Aju offers a letter of encouragement to the world’s emerging writers. One emerging writer, Farzona Hoshimova, shares her journey and literary accomplishments along with her gratitude to those who supported her along the way.

Photo by Mahmut Yılmaz

However, Chimezie Ihekuna speaks to the tension between optimism and dreams and reality and cynicism. Doug Hawley and Bill Tope craft a story together about an alcoholic humorously remaining in denial. Mirta Liliana Ramirez describes an unstable relationship with an unreliable lover or friend. J.J. Campbell’s poetry speaks to love, loss, the search for connection, and being beaten down by life.

Abigail George reflects on lingering grief for a lost lover and for parents who have drifted away from her. Chorshanbiyeva Gulnoza Mirzo expresses her love for her deceased father. Doug Holder offers a brief moment of tenderness to his wife as she grieves. Irma Kurti speaks to grief and humans’ tender hearts as Cherise Barasch evokes a Jewish ritual of remembrance.

Stephen Jarrell Williams crafts scenes of people navigating a troubled world together in small groups, finding strength and comfort from their faith. Michael Robinson also explores themes of faith, looking at how his awareness of physical mortality due to a health crisis reminds him of the spiritual concept of dying to selfishness and finding new life through Christ. Maja Milojkovic reflects on the themes of compassion, sorrow, and sacrifice in the relationship of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Eva Petropoulou Lianou puts out a humble plea for peace and compassion. Peace Ogunjemilua speculates on the meaning of hope and what keeps us believing – which may be as simple as a flower.

Surayyo Nosirova shares reasons why some young adults may struggle with mental health in college and offers hope and strategies for overcoming. Bibixanifa Jumanazarova praises the strength of women who rise above and shine through adversity. Priyanka Neogi urges readers to dig deep within themselves and work to reach their goals. Maria Miraglia shares her determination to love selflessly, even in a world where she can be betrayed. Taylor Dibbert speaks to making the most of everything, even English food!

Sayani Mukherjee speaks to appreciating the delicate beauty of craft and nature in urban areas. Brian Barbeito finds wonder in a single small snail shell as Gregory Wallace revels in the dazzling splendor of the sun, moon, planets, bees, and Milky Way. Su Yu showcases the work of elementary and teen writers, whose works mostly celebrate urban and rural nature.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand reflects on how the Earth will always be there for humans, even when other people or our deities fail us. Dante Parameseo, along with a humorous take on relationships, offers a poetic piece on a tamarisk tree that’s in touch with reality more elemental than human art or concepts of beauty. Vo Thi Nhu Mai encourages us to get out of our own way, to come to life with gentle spirits and appreciate the cherry blossoms. Finally, Wazed Abdullah finds joy in riding his bicycle.