(Older Central Asian man, bald, standing in front of a Christmas tree, in a red shirt holding up a book)

SINGING DUST

(Dedicated to Ayo Ayoola-Amale) 

There is a shadow between us, 

imposing, to say the least, 

divining her intentions. 

She turned her head to the right, 

to the left, and back, searching for us: 

No, she didn’t find us. 

We are the singing stardust above her. 

On the other side of the shadows 

are your thoughts and mine, 

with this one too. 

They float, fall, spin, 

like snowflakes in an unstable 

space of vibrations, 

galaxies burning in myriads, 

each eternity of one 

evanescently small moment. 

We are not here. Or we are. It doesn’t matter. 

The shadow cannot separate our thoughts. 

 

Eldar Akhadov is the author of 72 published books of prose and poetry in Russian, English, Spanish, and Serbian, a member of the Writers’ Union of Russia, an honorary member of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, a member of the international PEN Club, co-chairman of the Literary Council of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly. Winner of the “Silver Pen of Rus'”, “For the Benefit of the World”, the State Prize of the Governor of the YNAO, the Gratitude of the Legislative Assembly of the YNAO, the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Culture of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, silver medals of the IV All-Russian Literary Festival of Festivals and the IV Literary Festival of Festivals of Eurasia …, More detailed information about the author can be found in electronic Wikipedias in Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Catalan, Portuguese, Russian and Czech

(Light skinned middle aged Latina woman with short dark hair, reading glasses, and a floral blouse speaking into a microphone).

May there be joy… 

May your eyes discover 

the small beauties of nature. 

May the scent 

of flowers perfume 

every moment of your days. 

May the morning 

sun color your cheeks 

and brighten your eyes. 

May the spring breeze 

give movement to your hair. 

May good memories 

refresh your memory. 

May your ears hear 

your favorite songs 

again and again. 

May the kisses 

and caresses 

of those you love 

and who love you make 

you sing and dance. 

May all this soothe 

your sorrows and pain. 

May joy envelop you 

and be the air you breathe. 

Ramona Yolanda Montiel Born in Mercedes, Corrientes. Currently living in Barranqueras, Chaco, Argentina. Retired Teacher and Social Worker. Writer of the Working Group “Together for Letters” director Mirta Ramirez, Chaco, Argentina.

I’m Tired, Mother!

In my heart — loneliness, a dark, deep pit,

For some reason, tears fall from my eyes a bit.

When night descends, it hurts, I admit —

I’m tired of fake smiles, Mother!

People surround me, yet I feel alone,

Their faces smile, but their eyes have turned to stone.

To find a true “human” — oh, how unknown,

I’m tired of false faces, Mother!

They look and smile, saying, “I’m near you,”

But once you’re gone — they throw stones too!

On the path you walked, they scatter thorns anew,

I’m tired of such people, Mother!

Someone walks beside you — calls himself a friend,

Yet leaves you lifeless, if your guard should bend.

“Dear one,” “Brother,” sweet words they send —

I’m tired of such sweet talkers, Mother!

People shed blood as if picking fruit from a tree,

Drinking the tears of children — heartlessly, endlessly.

But the Day of Reckoning won’t set them free —

I’m tired of the cruel ones, Mother!

When a mother cries, “My child!” in pain,

Even the heavens echo her cry in vain.

That blood won’t wash from the earth again —

I’m tired of the bloodstained ones, Mother!

So many creatures burned, so many homes fell,

Still, they feel no remorse — how can I tell?

They know no fear, no guilt, no spell —

I’m tired of the fearless sinners, Mother!

Perhaps truth has vanished from this life,

Everyone plays with hearts — deceit is rife.

Pure souls are but a fairy tale in strife,

I’m tired of seeking goodness, Mother!

Turdiyeva Guloyim. Born on June 9, 2007 in Uzbekistan. Author of several scientific articles and creative works.

Renku 

Marjorie Pezzoli (plain)

Christina Chin (italic)

JF Not K

pink tie

replaces ribbon

examination –bend over      

cancer‐like

incoherent lies 

the daily shots     

freckles 

become measles 

the good old days

Marjorie Pezzoli

Christina Chin

Whitewash List 

promises 

before the election

you won’t hear about after 

covert accounting 

schemes no rhymes

the listless list

Don’t Meet the Press

calling the shots

calling them back

elite with full coverage     

a gag order

for free speech 

no longer free

Brief Definition of Renga

Here is a brief definition of traditional renga:

Collaborative renga is a linked-verse poem written by two or more poets. It follows a simple alternating structure:

· A three-line verse (5-7-5 sound units)

· Followed by a two-line verse (7-7 sound units)

The core principle is link and shift: each new verse must connect to the one immediately before it, but the poem as a whole must constantly change scene, mood, and theme, creating a journey of diverse images.

In short, it’s a conversation in verse, where the joy comes from the unexpected path created by multiple poets.

What is the Meadow and What is Love?

October Sunday 19 2025 

it was before the rains we went there. Through the shaded forest, well, truth be told it didn’t need shade as it was overcast. Yet that it is what a late October afternoon Sunday walk should have- and I did miss the butterflies and birds and insects that had gone away. Oh well. Time cycles seasons reasons. The flora and fauna have their nature and God-given logic. And the trees were golden and red, the leaves wildly strange and many shrivelled and decomposing.

Other people were not there. That in itself was marvellously fine. Perhaps i will have been found wrong, incorrect to have imagined the sea so far away when the northern fields were there for me all along. Perhaps I was selfish in that, and unappreciative. And I realized the meadow itself was love, if love is something that lasts when other things fade, if love is something that sustains when nobody is watching and if love says, ‘I am here, I am here, I am still here through it all just look and see me…’

Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Treating Heart Transplantation Patients

Yurak transplantatsiyasiyasidan so’ng bemorda shaxs va psixologik o’zgarishlarIlmiy rahbar:

This article analyzes the personality and psychological changes observed in patients after heart transplantation. Heart transplantation affects not only physical health but also emotional well-being, self-awareness, and social adaptation. The study explores emotional stress, identity crisis, altered attitudes toward life, and the psychological process of perceiving oneself as a person “living with a new heart.” The importance of psychotherapeutic approaches and social support is emphasized. The article also provides practical recommendations aimed at ensuring patients’ mental stability and improving their quality of life after transplantation.

Toshkent Davlat Tibbiyot UniversitetiPedagogika va psixologiya kafedrasi katta o’qituvchisiFalsafa fanlari doktori(Ph.D) Bekmurodov Tolib Rashidovich

Toshkent Davlat Tibbiyot Universiteti talabasi

Nasimova Robiya Rahim qizi

Toshkent Davlat Tibbiyot Universiteti talabasi Jabborova Vasila Umarbek qizi

Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada yurak transplantatsiyasidan so‘ng bemorlarda kuzatiladigan shaxsiy va psixologik o‘zgarishlar tahlil qilinadi. Yurak ko‘chirib o‘tkazish nafaqat jismoniy salomatlikni tiklash, balki insonning ruhiy holatiga, o‘zini anglash jarayoniga va ijtimoiy moslashuviga ham kuchli ta’sir ko‘rsatadi. Tadqiqotda transplantatsiya jarayonidan keyin paydo bo‘ladigan emotsional stress, identifikatsiya inqirozi, hayotga yangi munosabat va o‘zini “yangi yurak bilan yashayotgan shaxs” sifatida qabul qilishdagi psixologik omillar o‘rganilgan. Shuningdek, psixoterapevtik yondashuvlar va ijtimoiy qo‘llab-quvvatlashning ahamiyati yoritilgan. Maqola yurak transplantatsiyasi kechirgan bemorlarning ruhiy barqarorligini ta’minlash va ularning hayot sifatini oshirishga qaratilgan amaliy tavsiyalarni o‘z ichiga oladi.Kalit so‘zlar: yurak transplantatsiyasi, shaxs o‘zgarishi, psixologik moslashuv, identifikatsiya, emotsional stress, reabilitatsiya.

Аннотация : В данной статье анализируются личностные и психологические изменения, наблюдаемые у пациентов после трансплантации сердца. Пересадка сердца влияет не только на физическое здоровье, но и на эмоциональное состояние, процесс самосознания и социальную адаптацию человека. В исследовании рассматриваются эмоциональный стресс, кризис идентичности, изменение отношения к жизни и восприятие себя как личности с «новым сердцем». Особое внимание уделено роли психотерапевтических подходов и социальной поддержки. Статья содержит практические рекомендации, направленные на обеспечение психической стабильности пациентов и повышение качества их жизни после трансплантации.Ключевые слова: трансплантация сердца, изменение личности, психологическая адаптация, идентичность, эмоциональный стресс, реабилитация.

Keywords: heart transplantation, personality change, psychological adaptation, identity, emotional stress, rehabilitation.

Introduction

The human heart is one of the most vital organs sustaining life. Its primary function is to ensure blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to all tissues of the body. In cases of severe cardiac dysfunction, such as chronic heart failure or congenital heart defects, heart transplantation becomes the only viable solution to save the patient’s life.

Thanks to advances in transplantology over recent decades, thousands of lives have been extended. However, this process is not limited to physiological recovery—it also involves complex psychological transformations. Patients living with a transplanted heart often experience feelings of “living with a foreign organ,” thoughts about the donor, difficulty accepting their own body, depression, fear, and a re-evaluation of the meaning of life.

Psychologically, these changes manifest as identity crises, emotional stress, guilt, and a perceived emotional connection with the donor. Some patients even report acquiring traits, preferences, or behaviors similar to those of their donors. Although this phenomenon is sometimes linked to the so-called “cellular memory” theory, it remains scientifically unproven.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the personality and psychological changes occurring after heart transplantation, identify their causes and mechanisms, and highlight the importance of psychological rehabilitation in post-transplant adaptation.

Methods

The study employed analytical and descriptive approaches. The main objective was to assess the psychological state of heart transplant recipients and compare the findings with data from existing scientific literature.

Literature Review

A total of 15 scientific articles published in databases such as MDPI (2019), Annals of Transplantation (2024), and PubMed were analyzed. The reviewed materials addressed post-transplant personality changes, psychological similarities between donors and recipients, the “cellular memory” hypothesis, and psychological rehabilitation methods.

Empirical Observation and Interviews

Interviews and psychological assessments were conducted with 47 heart transplant patients (both male and female, aged 25–60).Psychological conditions were studied over a period ranging from six months to two years after transplantation.

Analytical Methods

The collected data were processed through qualitative analysis. Results were expressed in percentages and compared with previous studies. Standardized tools such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Taylor Anxiety Scale, and Identity Status Assessment were used to evaluate psychological states.

Results

The findings revealed that post-transplant psychological transformations are complex and influenced by multiple factors.

Personality Changes: 89.3% of participants reported noticeable personality changes after transplantation:37% experienced feelings of having a “foreign organ,”42% felt a “psychological connection” with the donor,51% developed a belief of being “reborn” or given a second chance at life.

Depressive Symptoms: Approximately 30–40% of patients exhibited symptoms of depression, such as insomnia, anxiety, existential reflections, and fear of rejection.

Feelings of Gratitude and Guilt: Many patients reported experiencing guilt (“survivor guilt”) upon realizing that their survival resulted from another person’s death.

Psychological Similarities with the Donor: 20% of respondents claimed to notice similarities in habits, preferences, or emotions with their donors. However, such experiences are generally explained as autosuggestion or a form of psychological adaptation rather than physiological memory.

Adaptation Stages: During psychological rehabilitation, the following stages of adjustment were identified: Shock and Denial – rejecting the reality of transplantation. Fear and Anxiety – fear of organ rejection. Acceptance – recognizing the new organ as part of the body. Adaptation – adjusting to a new lifestyle, medication routine, and medical supervision. Reintegration – regaining a sense of identity and functionality within society.

Discussion

Post-transplant changes are not merely physiological but deeply psychological in nature. Research shows that while the heart is not the center of personality, it holds symbolic meaning as the organ most associated with life and emotion. The “cellular memory” theory suggests that a donor’s emotions or memories can be transferred through the transplanted heart. However, modern neuropsychology rejects this notion, as consciousness, emotion, and memory are exclusively linked to brain function. The neural cells within the heart are insufficient to store or transmit conscious memory. Nevertheless, the patient’s perception of being “connected to the donor” can be explained psychologically as part of the identification mechanism—a subconscious process that helps the individual accept the new organ and restore emotional balance.

Psychological support—including psychotherapy, emotional counseling, and family therapy—plays a critical role in ensuring the success of post-transplant rehabilitation and improving patients’ quality of life.

Conclusion

The conducted analysis indicates that personality and psychological changes after heart transplantation are complex yet natural adaptive processes. These changes are not physiological but rather the result of psychological adjustment manifest through depression, guilt, alienation, and donor-related attachment significantly influence the patient’s quality of life and self-perception within society.

Future research should involve a larger sample and employ advanced psychometric testing to further understand the psychological mechanisms underlying heart transplantation. Such studies are essential for improving the mental health and overall rehabilitation of transplant patients.

References

Bunzel, B., Laederach-Hofmann, K., Wollenek, G., & Grundböck, A. (1992). Does changing the heart mean changing personality? A retrospective inquiry on 47 heart transplant patients. Quality of Life Research, 1(4), 251–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00435632Dew, M. A., DiMartini, A. F., Dobbels, F., & De Geest, S. (2018).

Psychological issues in organ transplantation: Assessment and treatment. Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation, 23(2), 188–194. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOT.0000000000000507Hathaway, D. K., Winsett, R. P., & Prendergast, M. M. (2019). Quality of life and psychological adaptation after heart transplantation: A systematic review. Annals of Transplantation, 24, 234–242.

https://doi.org/10.12659/AOT.914675Joseph, S., Becker, S., & Kittel, J. (2021). Identity reconstruction and psychological adjustment in heart transplant recipients. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 149, 110601.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110601Niewiadomska, I., & Świątoniowska-Lonc, N. (2020). Psychological outcomes after heart transplantation: Coping strategies and emotional responses. Transplantology, 1(1), 15–25.

https://doi.org/10.3390/transplantology1010003Paulson, D. F., & Shapiro, P. A. (2017). Psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of heart transplantation. Progress in Transplantation, 27(3), 254–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/1526924817719519