This Ebb of Darkness 1 Deep yawning coming into focus your room a hole between walls another blur of the ceiling morning light accepting your awakening wondering what day it is searching a few moments for meaning and you stretch in a bed of only one familiar blanket and cold feet turning your stiff neck toward the window curtain open as always a hint of the still life calling outside sky of puffs of cloud over blue blending behind a bad city of sadness you want to cry but can't remember how and nothing would come out of it so why waste the energy and you rise a stiff stick of a man slow grinding your teeth a declaration of "I'm not dead yet!" 2 A laughing toilet waiting in the bathroom white porcelain cleaned somewhat with a week of writing poems for someone you don't know. 3 And you shove your skinny legs into old pants and walk barefoot to the peephole window glaring down three stories to the street littered with garbage in the gutters and stinking slick sidewalks children not playing but running for hiding places and free cookies from handouts from crooked hands. 4 Deep sigh deciding you're hungry now going downstairs past all the other losers locked in tombs with ears smashed against their doors tears in their eyes wondering why they can't help the emptiness even with the sunrise... 5 You won't quit brushing your teeth with no tooth paste smile still showing in the dark even with a crack in the mirror. 6 A crack quickly spreading into a top heavy internet with Jack the Ripper coming riding two motorcycles with a foot on each but you're good with it this ebb of darkness. 7 For you can survive almost any trick of the wicked which will eventually stumble and fall into their own dark spy holes. Excuse? We're in a country of top heavy pretenders... not understanding sooner or later someone is going to slap them down, stomp on their false teeth, and kick their tail down the street. They'll have to live with the rest of us... Seeing how we feel more than how they ever felt they with their fathers giving them a lousy excuse on trying to exterminate us. The Downward of Now Floating in the ocean swell a last wave and breath sunset prayer bubbles rising as I sink eyes closing sea deep my dreams heart beating echoes satisfying sleep I am one of those in the downward of now watering of tears burial at sea never reaching bottom riptide back home on shore coughing up hallucinations and a headache of dreams a rope tide around my ankle someone pulling me across the finish line. Stephen Jarrell Williams can be found on Twitter (X) @papapoet
Category Archives: CHAOS
Poetry from Wazed Abdullah
The Music In melodies of life, music's sweet embrace, The universal language, a boundless space. Notes weave stories, emotions they convey, In rhythm and rhyme, hearts find their own way. From symphonies grand to a songbird's sweet trill, Music's magic in silence, it can instill. With every chord played, a world comes alive, In eight simple lines, its power we derive. Wazed Abdullah is a student of grade 8 in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.
Artwork from Brian Barbeito (one of three sets)
Essay from Bakhora Bakhtiyorova
Future Leader girl of Uzbekistan
If a person sets a real goal, if his intention is good, he will definitely achieve what he thinks.”
Author of translations of more than 100 scientific journalistic articles, participant of about 50 international forums and conferences, delegate of the Malaysian Youth Summit, participant of the international summits of the “Juntos por las Letras” writer’s association of Argentina. , Candidate of the “Double Wing” award of Uzbekistan. International speaker of “Shishiulash Global Youth Club” of Bangladesh.
Bakhora Bakhtiyorova daughter of Asliddin, a 11th-grade student of the 84th general education school of the Payariq district of the Samarkand region. The district has achieved several achievements in the region, the republic, and the international arena.
In particular, Bakhora is a member of Pakistan’s “Women and Youth Organization for Education, Culture and Art. Ambassador. Global Ambassador Organization Argentina, New Zealand Leadership-based “Global Goodwill Ambassador 2023” India Foundation “Development of Technology Methods” .Member of Bangladesh’s global youth club “Shishiuluash” international organization. Member of The Kingdom of New Atlantic Heritage Organization. Member of Argentina’s “Juntos por las Letras” writer’s association from Uzbekistan.
Volunteer member of “Human rights” organization working in cooperation with “UNESCO”. Republic “Golden Wing” Association of Volunteers, member “Upward Growth forum” delegate.
Articles, Great Britain, Kenya, Washington,
Published in Argentina, India, Turkey, Washington, Uzbekistan.
In addition, Bakhora’s article was included in the anthology that was sold to 26 countries of the world.
Author Bakhora Bakhtiyorova
Future International journalist
Poetry from Jerry Langdon
An Unkindness They congregate in a sorrowful gale Holding mourning souls in mist-o-pale. Their callings, cawing; clawing ears. A dirge for all those forlorn tears. An unkindness of ravens surge Their saddened song does purge. Haunting as they remind of dismal days. Taunting they scream in the dreadful haze. Here does Death now call. Where the curtains make a final fall. Unkind is the Unkindness For Death knows no blindness. An Ember of Tomorrow's Sorrow Of all the sorrows my heart hath ever begotten There are few which in grave will then be forgotten. For over time I have passed many a threshold That have closed to wounds that have grown old. Still I have scars deep in my soul that fester and remind. Some of which the origin of the wounds I have yet to find. Phantom paper cuts of endless festering sorrow, Fears of a drear from a hopefully distant tomorrow. My monophobic thanatophobia paints a gloomy portrait Of a dystopia that haunts from a future unknown date. Death and I have carried this platonic affair since I remember; Which is evermore but a faint glowing ember. I fear when that sorrow becomes a flame. When that ember burns with her name. From South-Western, Michigan, Jerry Langdon lives in Germany since the early 90's. He is an Artist and Poet. His works bathe in a darker side of emotion and fantasy. He has released five books of Poetry titled "Temperate Darkness an Behind the Twilight Veil", “Death and other cold things” “Rollercoaster Heart” and “Frosted Dreams” Jerry is also the editor and publisher of the literary magazine Raven Cage Zine poetry and prose. His poetic inspirations are derived from poets such as Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Frost and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. As well as from various Rock Bands. His apparently twisted mind, twists and intertwines fantasy with reality.
Poetry from Mahbub Alam
The Play of Politics Is politics only a play or game? A play between a snake and a weasel Or a tiger and a deer The ruling and the opposition party A continuous process over time and place A struggle for power and pelf In the name of democracy, the commoners cheated But who wins the race? Nature - set up with its own beauty and style We cannot but charm to look at the sight It is the twenty four hours round system On the other side What do we do for democracy? After a long line of death, a government takes place System built, system violated In this dire situation, so much blood shed The experiences we gather break the heart Time opens its gate for some Time takes some confined to bed Politics runs with the toes of tigers or lions Lambs and deer run so fast to escape. Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh 28 October, 2023 Flash Flood and Firing It was no rainfall last year here Too hot in the summer in this year than so many years last Nowadays it scarcely rains in the rainy season When it rains, rains days together As the meteor shower in the atmosphere at the clear night sky The warmth makes the body of the earth sometimes imbalanced It burns somewhere in the forest The animals turn into like the burning coal in the fireplace Again flash flood without any precaution Inundates the homes and the croplands for sudden rainfall Or melting the iceberg leaving hundreds and thousands of people In hunger, suffering from many diseases How can we protect the world from being destroyed day by day? Though so many meetings are called every year Is there any result? Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh 29 October, 2023
Synchronized Chaos Mid-October 2023: Small Islands of Coherence
Synchronized Chaos Magazine expresses sympathy for all the people affected by the recent violence in the Middle East and shares the hope for a peaceful and just resolution and for justice and equality for the region’s many groups of people.
In the spirit of what we do here, we are sharing author Michael Lukas’ recommendations of fiction and poetry from both Israelis and Palestinians that he and others believe will help people understand the issues and the cultures in the region.
Please feel welcome to suggest other titles.
We are also aware that Afghanistan has suffered an earthquake that has killed thousands of people. We invite people to help however they can and suggest the Afghan-founded and led organization RAWA which assists those of all genders and racial backgrounds in the country. They are seeking people to translate articles on their website and help in a variety of ways.
Finally, we stand with the people of Burma who are continuing to undergo war and repression. We encourage people to assist through groups such as Doctors Without Borders.
On another note, this month’s submissions, and the whole project of Synchronized Chaos, bring to mind the research of Ilya Prigogene, whose scientific work demonstrated that when complex systems are far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence can shift the entire system to a higher order.
This magazine is an effort to synthesize various ideas and projects and pieces into a “small idea of coherence” each month.
Nigerian physician Ayokunle Adeleye urges people to rely on science and seek sensible and knowledgeable medical advice. Uzbek author Amirova Niginabonu recognizes the value of parents and teachers in imparting wisdom to younger people.
Adhamova Laylo Akmaljon speaks to the power of faith to heal through calming intense or troubled emotions. Adiba Pardaboyeva speaks to the comfort and calm she finds in her faith and her home and family. Nilufar Thoktaboyeva reminds us that while life’s emotions can be strong, they are transitory.
Anna Ferriero expresses her awe at the power of romantic love and large birds in her Italian and English poetry. Sayani Mukherjee reflects on a transformative love through a panoply of autumn and winter imagery.
Christopher Bernard reflects on another kind of transformative love, Aeschylus’ take on the ancient Greek myth of Io, a human woman who caught Zeus’ eye and was turned to a cow by his jealous wife. In this version, Io is not silenced and her voice continues throughout the ages.
Iftikhar Zaman Ononno explains the importance of trees to the natural environment and encourages tree planting and conservation. Muntasir Mamun Kiron joins in the song of nature’s beauty and diversity while Aklima Ankhi rejoices in the variety of colors present in each and every season. Mirta Liliana Ramirez recollects a time when she took comfort in poetry and the sea and the sky while in pain. Annie Johnson expresses her love for the totality of nature: summer days, moonlight, and morning. Channie Greenberg sends up hopeful photography of peaceful farm fields in the Middle East. Z.I. Mahmud explores the nuances of the creative and destructive imagery of the West Wind in Percy Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind.
Michelle Adegboro’s speaker comments on whiteness, blackness, and belonging in the world through childhood images of astronomy and eclipses.
Mehreen Ahmed describes the sights and smells of a city at night with elegant, layered language. Khojabekova Musharraf’s poetry, translated into English by Nilufar Ruxillayeva, extols the beauty and majesty of the Uzbek city of Samarkand.
Rafiul Islam shares a tale of best friends who seek adventure and find riches. Nahyean Bin Khalid presents a story of a boy who gets trapped in a haunted house. Fernando Sorrentino relates a tale of how a soccer game gone wrong causes a boy to question his character.
Tasirul Islam celebrates the peace and stability and strength of his homeland of Bangladesh. Faleeha Hassan takes pride in her heritage as a Black Ethiopian Iraqi woman and remembers her father’s love. Zebuzar Yusupova crafts a hymn to the independence, pride, and beauty of her native Uzbekistan. Begoyi Allabergenova Aytjan Egamberdievna’s work, translated into English by Nilufar Ruxillayeva, also honors the Uzbek nation, land, and history.
Nurujjaman’s story shows the danger of marrying without a realistic plan for adult life. Jim Meirose’s tale of a brickyard hod carrier presents a hard working man who never loses his imagination or capacity to dream.
Monira Mahbub extols the virtues of education. Oydinova Malika offers up advice for those in Uzbekistan teaching English as a foreign language, using her experience and research as a guide. Rano Dilshadovna offers advice directly to students on how to learn spoken and written English while Marjona Qurbonova discusses whether online language learning environments can be as effective as in-person courses and Ravshanbek Nasulloyev proposes strategies for learning to think in English.
Jerrice J. Baptiste, niece of our contributor Roodly Laurore, sends in photos and shares about a school in Haiti for low income children where her aunt volunteers. We are also aware that Haiti has experienced major violence and disruption in recent months and encourage people to support education as well as general relief there.
Mahbub Alam laments the human losses caused by warfare. Mykyta Ryzhykh expresses the utter dislocation and destruction caused by modern warfare in his prose and also echoes those themes in his poetry. Abdurrashid Abdulrahman (newbornpoet) mourns the violence and injustice in his native land, while Ajibade Abdurasheed sings out his hopes for justice for the poor and vulnerable. Olanrewaju Timothy Fatoye’s lyrics decry criminal violence against the vulnerable. Indian artist Mantri Pragada Markandeleyu harnesses Marilyn Monroe as a universal symbol to help him advocate for world peace in his graphic design. Giddi Vivian Hembafan speaks to redemption from the violence in the human heart through faith.
Don Bormon contributes a caring poem about his best friend. Leslie Lisbona speaks to the long-term, profound relationships she had with her family’s various dogs. Taylor Dibbert’s speaker mourns and remembers a very special dog. Catherine Arra illuminates adult and childhood grief through the story of a family dog’s dying in an accident.
Azemina Krehic speaks of a love beset with danger, longing, and loneliness. K.G. Munro evokes the joy of a first attraction between lovers who meet by a campfire, then turns to the dangers of vaping. Kristy Raines talks of a beautiful and unconditional love that might be too amazing to exist in waking life. Sergio Ortiz draws on both nature and mythology to explore his heart and speak to different relationships from his past.
Ahmad Al-Khatat celebrates a love that perseveres and helps him to navigate the memory of past trauma. Hannah Aipoh recollects how writing helped her survive mental illness and a traumatic family situation. Makhfiratkhon Abdurakhmonova relates the story of a breast cancer survivor who triumphs through resilience and patience.
Graciela Noemi Villaverde asks for clarity to understand the true nature of her situation. Elnura Mahammadiyeva urges people to clarify their dreams into specific goals and work towards them.
Zahro Shamsiyya finds her identity and self respect in her poetry and reflects on her life and possible afterlife. Jerry Langdon considers mortality through the metaphorical death of his journal and through another piece on vampires and nighttime. Roy Gu speaks to mortality, grief, beauty, and making the most of an imperfect life. Bruce McRae uses surreal whimsy and entertainment-industry metaphors to wonder about the stability and possible mortality of the universe itself.
Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumnova quests for a departed loved one and for a gentler world through her poetry. Luis Cuauhtémoc Berriozábal returns to ancient roots and to nature as he seeks authentic poetic inspiration. Precious Moses hopes and dreams for a peaceful society in his Nigerian homeland.
Brian Barbeito contributes a lush meditation on nature, groundedness, love, and poetry. Steven Croft memorializes the former poet laureate of the state of Georgia, David Bottoms. Eva Petropoulou shares wishes for her poetry to become powerful enough to bring about transformative change.
Duane Vorhees explores identity, autonomy, travel and groundedness, and mythic wonder in his poetry. Precious Olugbodi highlights the importance of grounding your life’s projects with a solid foundation.
Nigirabonu Amirova highlights the up and coming literary scene in her native Uzbekistan. Another Uzbek writer, Bakhora Baktiyorova, shares her dream of becoming a journalist. Meanwhile, Parivash Sobirova regales us with a tale of a young girl discovering the joy of reading and the wonder of a library.
Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa encourages readers to find joy where they can in a lovely but precarious world. J.J. Campbell writes of acceptance: of age, of change, of the presence of different parts of yourself.
Elmaya Jabbarova revels in the music all around her: sounds from nature and her Islamic services. Iqra Aslam finds elegance in precisely chosen language in a Zadie Smith novel. Noah Berlatsky finds a form of rhythmic art in the repetitive daily nature of life.
Maja Milojkovic speaks to the persistence of sorrow and longing for loved ones. Mesfakus Salahin reminds us in his short story that money alone cannot solve all the world’s sorrows. Laylo Bakhtiyorova addresses the all-too-common human condition of feeling dissatisfied, but not knowing what will solve one’s problems.
Mark Young probes the limits of AI algorithms in understanding us and guessing our preferences and interests. Edward Lee’s poetry looks at different types of human and natural creation and speculates on where we can find beauty.
Patrick Sweeney’s one-line poems combine the mystical, the logical, and the physical for unexpected results. Isabel Gomes de Diego’s photography captures whimsical moments of contrast or interest. Daniel De Culla combines whimsy and humor with curiosity and nature with human crafts. Mantri Pragada Markandeleyu contributes the first installment of a comic play about a group of beggars.
Laura Stamps jokingly laments how the pandemic has turned many of us into homebodies and “slugs.” Stephen House speaks to the need to make the most of our short lives, as we never know when we will face suffering or disaster. Meg Freer’s stories involve change and reconstruction of people and things. Peter Cherches plays with time and identity in his humorous short stories where nothing is as it seems and multiple ideas are simultaneously true.