Brian Barbeito reviews William Vollmann’s Riding Toward Everywhere

William T. Vollman's name in orange at the top, then Riding Toward Everywhere in green at the bottom. Black and white photo of a train heading towards you on a track in the distance with a telephone pole to its right.

William T. Vollmann writes with clarity and a rare sort of honesty that is not easy to find. In this wonderfully written account of train hopping the reader experiences the outward adventures and also Vollmann’s thoughts on trains, travel, literary heroes, the meaning of friendship, and more. Vollmann shows us courage in his actions, and at even the more difficult of times, inspiration for writing and life through his keen interest in both.

That all would be amazing enough for this reader, but what makes it better yet is that when Vollmann is describing landscapes he is poetic, profound, and I would say, spiritually orientated in his quest, his open journey. Brave it is to do what he has done, and valorous to share his experiences in a heartfelt way. A long time ago I read an essay interview w/Louis Ferdinand Celine where he talked about a few writers he admired that came before him. He said of them that ‘They were made for it,’ meaning they were created to be writers. This would be perhaps the highest destiny.

Vollmann in my view is like that, is someone that is made for it, and he shows why in these pages. 

Riding Towards Everywhere is available here.

Poetry from Maja Milojkovic

Younger middle aged white woman with long blonde hair, glasses, and a green top and floral scarf and necklace.
Maja Milojkovic

Beyond the Mirror of Imagination 

In the mirror, through your eyes, 
You observe me 
You call me 
You hide 
You love 
You squint to forget 
To make everything stop 
The water in the mill doesn't stop 
It turns, 
Life flows like a river 
I am constantly reborn in your eyes 
Beneath the eyelids 
Love with which you cover another love. 
But forgetting happens when the mirror breaks, 
But our mirror is reborn when you look at yourself 
And see my eyes in your reflection. 
That is us, connected by thoughts 
Without encounters 
Without touch 
Without anything, 
But everything in the fullness of feeling 
Through the connection of the soul. 


Maja Milojković was born in 1975 in Zaječar, Serbia.
She is a person to whom from an early age, Leonardo da Vinci's statement "Painting is poetry that can be seen, and poetry is painting that can be heard" is circulating through the blood.

That's why she started to use feathers and a brush and began to reveal the world and herself to them.
As a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and foreign literary newspapers, anthologies and electronic media, and some of her poems can be found on YouTube.

Many of her poems have been translated into English, Hungarian, Bengali and Bulgarian due to the need of foreign readers.
She is the recipient of many international awards.
"Trees of Desire" is her second collection of poems in preparation, which is preceded by the book of poems "Moon Circle". 
She is a member of the International Society of Writers and Artists "Mountain Views" in Montenegro, and she also is a member of the Poetry club "Area Felix" in Serbia.



Essay from Malika Oydinova

Young Central Asian woman with dark hair and a gray checkered coat over a black blouse, standing in front of a building.
Malika Oydinova
A Wide Way To The International Field Is A Deep Study Of Foreign Languages 

Annotation: Due to the growing significance of language proficiency in contemporary culture and its extensive use on global scale, this article emphasizes the value of learning foreign languages.
Key words: foreign language, disciplinary system, literature, globalized era, quality of education.

Education of the future generation in the spirit of love and allegiance to the Motherland, national pride, high morality and spirituality, pride in our old and rich heritage, and national and international values is one of the most pressing concerns of our day. 

Fundamental changes to the educational system on earth are a problem because they don't provide the right environment for undergraduates to learn foreign languages perfectly, be able to communicate in a foreign language in all situations, and improve their oral and written communication skills in a foreign language. 

UNESCO, UNICEF, and the Association of European Universities are concerned about helping students develop their ability to think in a foreign language, their right to free speech, and their capacity for intellectual engagement. There are groups involved, such the European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. The evolution of this topic in general trends is crucial for the development of modernity and foreign language proficiency in the next generation and helps to boost students' creative potential in relation to issues with contemporary education. 

The coordination of curricula became the cornerstone for enhancing the higher pedagogical disciplinary system. The need of the hour is for fundamental reform of the quality of education based on outside experiences in the context of Uzbekistan, taking into account national mentality and traditions. 

It is crucial to use interactive techniques when working with young people, be able to give them high-quality instruction in a foreign language, raise the bar for higher education, and generally improve it. Consequently, the creation of a future labor force in our nation's higher education system and In order to build the ability to learn original literature in the field and to engage in conversational communication in a foreign language, foreign language classes are held in the course of gathering the information required for the intention. 

Every autonomous citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan has his or her own, and he or she should be able to read the original copy of literature written in another language that is pertinent to his or her line of work, comprehend it, and use it in that line of work. In addition, as learning a foreign language is a must for living in the current globalized era, he should be able to openly discuss ideas on the subject with the interlocutor in that language. 

Every person living in the independent Republic of Uzbekistan should be able to read, comprehend, and apply works of literature written in a language other than his own that are relevant to his line of work. He should also be able to openly converse in a foreign language with the interlocutor about the specified topic. 

After all, in today's globalized world, learning foreign languages is required. Foreign language instruction is given great consideration in our nation, which just gained independence. Numerous foreign language teachers have been taught, the necessary conditions for workers to advance their education both domestically and abroad have been established, multimedia English, German, and French textbooks have been constructed, and electronic English learning tools have been developed. 

The creation of modern language classrooms at educational institutions is unequivocal evidence of this. The main goal is to create the conditions for the growth of international cooperation and communication, the achievements of world civilization, and the use of information resources by young people across the globe. This is done by educating the next generation in foreign languages and improving the training of specialists who can speak these languages willingly. 

As the eminent German scholar YV Von Goethe famously put it, "He who does not recognize foreign languages does not know his own." 

For this reason, learning foreign languages and willingly communicating ideas in them are thought to be among the most important responsibilities by both external language specialists and all prospective cadre studying in higher education institutions that do not specialize in languages. Our folks have a saying that goes, "He who notices the language knows." 

A person who speaks a foreign language will, in fact, have a wealth of options and advantages. Today, great language skills are one of the most important qualifications for employees. Priority areas for research on teaching foreign languages to students at institutes of higher learning without a language concentration include the following: The teaching of foreign languages to pupils in accordance with the European CEFR standards enhances the pedagogical mechanisms of education, including instructional technology, the objectivity of control, and the organization of independent education outside the audience. 

Higher education has a specific aim for teaching foreign languages, and all foreign language instructors should specify it beforehand. For after all, "the goals of foreign language teaching determine the content, means, methods, and principles of teaching," as scientists O. Khoshimov and I. Yakubov wrote in the book "Methodology of English Language Teaching." education at the higher level that does not focus on languages. 

The importance of teaching a foreign language in foreign institutions cannot be overstated because doing so will help students become more mature individuals in all spheres.

Malika Oydinova student of Uzbekistan State World Languages University of English faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature

Essay from Mixriniso Jurayeva

Young Central Asian woman with short brown hair, earrings, and a white collared shirt and black coat.
Mixriniso Jurayeva

THE CHARM OF THE UZBEK LANGUAGE

         The Uzbek language, also known as Uzbek language, is a beautiful and fascinating language spoken by over 30 million people around the world. Its charm lies not only in its unique phonetics and grammatical structure, but also in its rich history and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the various aspects that make the Uzbek language so enchanting and why it should be celebrated and preserved.

        One of the main attractions of the Uzbek language is its phonetics. Its soft and melodic sounds, influenced by the Central Asian Turkic languages, make it a pleasure to listen to. The use of vowel harmony, where the vowels in a word are in harmony with each other, adds to its musical quality. Words like ‘qoʻziq’ (ear) and ‘yoʻlchi’ (traveler) roll off the tongue with a rhythm that is pleasing to the ear.


Another aspect that adds to the charm of the Uzbek language is its grammatical structure. It is an agglutinative language, meaning that words are formed by adding multiple suffixes and prefixes to a root word. This allows for the creation of long and descriptive words, giving the language a certain poetic quality. For example, the word ‘oshpaz’ means cook, but when we break it down, we can see that it is made up of three parts: ‘osh’ (rice), ‘pa’ (foot), and ‘z’ (doer). Thus, ‘oshpaz’ can be translated as the one who cooks rice with their feet, which is an interesting and vivid description.

The Uzbek language is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Uzbekistan. It is the official language of the country, and has been spoken for centuries by its people. Its origins can be traced back to the Chagatai language, a Turkic language used by the Chagatai Khanate, which existed from the 13th to 19th century. The language has evolved and absorbed influences from Persian, Arabic, and Russian, making it a unique blend of different cultures.
The cultural significance of the Uzbek language is also reflected in its literature. Uzbek literature has a long and rich tradition, with poets and writers producing works in various genres such as poetry, epics, and folktales. The works of great writers like Alisher Navoi and Abdulla Qodiriy have been translated into many languages and continue to be celebrated and studied by people all over the world. The language is also used in traditional music, dance, and other forms of art, adding to its cultural richness.


In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the Uzbek language and its culture. This can be attributed to the efforts of the Uzbek government to promote and preserve its national language. The government has implemented various policies to encourage the use of Uzbek in education, media, and government institutions. This has resulted in a resurgence of interest and pride in the language among the younger generation.

      In conclusion, the charm of the Uzbek language is undeniable. Its unique phonetics, grammatical structure, and cultural significance make it a truly enchanting language. As the world becomes more interconnected, it is important to preserve and celebrate the diversity of languages. The Uzbek language is a valuable part of this diversity and deserves to be appreciated and promoted. So, let us all take the time to appreciate and learn more about this beautiful language.

Mehriniso Juraeva

Student of Termez State University

Essay from Muhammad Yusuf Zulfiqorov

War is a tragedy. It is an evil that causes pain and death to innocent souls. Children suffer the most from war because they are the most vulnerable part of society. War deprives children of childhood, peace, tranquility, their homeland, parents and, above all, hope for the future. I don’t just mean children in Ukraine or Palestine, I mean all the wounded souls who are crippled by the blade of war. According to UNICEF, from 2005 to 2022, wars worldwide have killed at least 120,000 children. In Palestine alone, more than 14,000 children have died to date.

Children should not die because of war. In today’s world, where we have achieved unprecedented heights in science, technology, and medicine, children are still dying. And this does not happen due to incurable diseases or natural disasters, but due to wars that adults start. War cripples not only the bodies, but also the souls of children. It robs them of their childhood, replacing it with fear, pain and loss. Children who survive war often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, anxiety and depression. Every day in the media we see this or that news about the victims of war, but you were wondering how we can stop these wars, how can I stop these wars?

As a tenth-grade girl who wears hijab and often faces discrimination, I am tired of being a passive witness with nothing to do. I became a volunteer, joined the boycott, started to express my motives and views, tried to convey my point of view to a wide audience and call for action. In addition, I wrote a manifesto with like-minded people and we started distributing it at school and encourage everyone to join. Today I am calling on the VOY community and U-Report to join my manifesto and help spread it to the youth of the world. The future is in our hands. We have a responsibility to do everything possible to protect the world from war. We must learn tolerance and mutual respect. We must resolve conflicts peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy. We must do everything possible to ensure that children never know the horrors of war. We must do everything possible to ensure that this future is peaceful.

In my manifesto I wanted to call on all people for peace. War is not the answer. It never solves problems, but only creates new ones. We must learn to live in peace and harmony so that children can grow and develop in a happy and safe world.

        “Manifesto: Childhood without war!”

            Childhood is a sacred time:

Childhood is a period of carefree games, the first steps towards knowledge, and the formation of personality. This is the time when children should be surrounded by love, care and safety. War mercilessly destroys this world, leaving behind only pain, fear and suffering.

            Children should not be victims:

No child should become a victim of hostilities. The war spares neither adults nor children. The projectiles do not differentiate between soldiers and innocent civilians. Children die, are injured, lose parents and homes.

            The future belongs to peaceful children:

A peaceful sky above your head isn’t just a dream, it is a vital necessity for children. Only in a peaceful society can children realize their full potential, grow up healthy and happy, and become builders of a better future.

            We are obliged to protect childhood:

Each of us must do everything possible to stop the war and protect children. Our voices must be heard by the leaders of this world. Let us demand an end to the bloodshed and violence.

Join us!

Together we can make the world a better place!

Poetry from Andrew MacDonald

Faulted news hour

i.
You should pardon it, keep it to the fore—
fronted if mendacious 
a happy grove of fear 
and vicious/delicate if 
surrounding. 
But what happens comes too quick 
and not one of us defends it 
a cut-up pose of reels 
fabricants media savvy and 
grandizing.

You should pardon it 
only what's known a 
group work presents—
a token field half-truthed 
not yet factitious, well—baited, 
soft pleasing.


ii.
It is not that one should have it 
more than as is 
(pleasant to dream, semblance to reality) 
that mucks about in all what relish 
we it is who are as what stood tall in 
once, if now, not far that cold indiscretion
each talk about wondrous of cause, 
curious in (un)becoming dark enterprises 
neat belonged what
all of us we align of 
steady in the composure 
none of us redoubted. 
So we have it, that transient malaise 
not more but less could encounter 
as when where are is not 
but these we depress from—
fade memories of a dream, 
what happened once 
but could not have.



iii.
Slight fade of space 
is memory’s whitewashing— 
an age of grace to grow out on one 
too limited resist it—
it becomes us all, terrifies 
to no measure 
that what happens once outlasts it 
as if in white right pleasure 
to rip through, scandalizing 
upturned emotion conducive 
to pure fact reminiscent 
that dates, times, maneuvers outlasted 
should permeate to frost 
gloss over meet conditions 
love’s alone by its then self 
obfuscated that not that 
should but be as is
this the relishing 
memories conduct us.

Poetry from Elmaya Jabbarova

White woman with long black hair and a black blouse with flowers on it. She's got small earrings on and off-white wallpaper with a floral pattern behind her.
Elmaya Jabbarova
Calling you, People! 

What do we see when we look through a telescope? 
The solar system rotates in its own rhythm in the sky. 
High mountains, dense forests, deep rivers, seas, 
The address has not changed, it has remained in place. 
The living world obeys the Creator's rule, 
What has changed the character of people? 
Long forgotten is the code of humanity, 
Enthusiasm for robotization is increasing at high speed! 

Wealth is accumulated, justice is trampled upon, 
Extortion, looting, then distribution of aid. 
A newborn baby is ashamed of its arrival, 
Maybe it's time to wake up and become perfect 
Let's unite in one action to save the world! 
Like Tesla's wireless "Wordencliff Tower" we 
Let's spread the light, the lights of mercy! 
Let's give all the pure emotional feelings. 

Elmaya Jabbarova was born in Azerbaijan. She is a poet, writer, reciter, and translator. Her poems were published in the regional newspapers «Shargin sesi», «Ziya», «Hekari», literary collections «Turan», «Karabakh is Azerbaijan!», «Zafar», «Buta», foreign Anthologies «Silk Road Arabian Nights», «Nano poem for Africa», «Juntos por las Letras 1;2», «Kafiye.net» in Turkey, in the African's CAJ magazine, Bangladesh's Red Times magazine, «Prodigy Published» magazine. She performed her poems live on Bangladesh Uddan TV, at the II Spain Book Fair 1ra Feria Virtual del Libro Panama, Bolivia, Uruguay, France, Portugal, USA.