Life is but a dream

Life is but a dream 
Sweet yet melting down ice cream
Still be not discouraged, not a scream 
Swim bravely graceful bream.
Life is but a dream
Be that you are awake or asleep
Emotions be shallow or deep
Raise hopes beyond mountain steep
Sweet yet melting down ice cream
Life churning wild like milky cream
Still be not discouraged, not a scream
Smooth sailing be in sky so gleam
Swim bravely as a graceful bream
Over and under a flowing stream
Life may be just a dream travelers to see
Praise and thanks to God for the journey


Tear in Darkness

Pain is a burning fire hidden
No water can douse it out
Slowly creeping inside self
Draining life with own life
Snuffing out the light within
Sought freedom with numbness
Even coldness cannot stamp out
Fear, doubt, anxiety, despair
Every chain has a weak link
Every lock has a way to pick open
Every cage has an exit door
Every cell in prison with a desire
Even water has a boiling limit
Vessels have an overflow line
Frozen ice can burst any pack
Smother a soul within its flesh
Volcano burst out its lava
No matter how deeply hidden
But peace is not guaranteed
Smoking poisons up the sky 
Nature sends its healing rain
Healing all the hidden pains
Angels see the tears in the dark
Grieving moans heard above
And a soul is saved by grace
Tears of pain to tears of joy
The Tower of Babel ceased to grow
Builders dispersed to be free
Just as trouble pours like rain
So do comfort and blessings
A life born can again be reborn
Tainted yet spread to rewrite on
A new journey without a map
Familiar path to leave behind
Nervous yet without any fear
Faith from fire road walked on.


Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa was born January 14, 1965, in Manila Philippines. She has worked as a retired Language Instructor, interpreter, caregiver, secretary, product promotion employee, and private therapeutic masseur. Her works have been published as poems and short story anthologies in several language translations for e-magazines, monthly magazines, and books; poems for cause anthologies in a Zimbabwean newspaper; a feature article in a Philippine newspaper; and had her works posted on different poetry web and blog sites. She has been writing poems since childhood but started on Facebook only in 2014. For her, Poetry is life and life is poetry. Lilian Kunimasa considers herself a student/teacher with the duty to learn, inspire, guide, and motivate others to contribute to changing what is seen as normal into a better world than when she steps into it. She has always considered life as an endless journey, searching for new goals, and challenges and how she can in small ways make a difference in every path she takes. She sees humanity as one family where each one must support the other and considers poets as a voice for truth in pursuit of equality and proper stewardship of nature despite the hindrances of distorted information and traditions.

THE MANSION HIDDEN IN FOREST – CHAPTER 01

In the middle of a deep forest, I, a 14-year-old, found an old, spooky mansion. The windows were broken, and the walls were covered with moss. I went inside. The floor craked loudly. There were some dusty pictures hanging in the walls. I felt that they were watching me.

I walked up the stairs. Faint whispers filled the hallway, like someone calling for help. I followed the whispers to a locked door. I used a rusty key to open it. In the room, everything was old, covered in cobwebs. 

In the middle, there was a mirror. It was dirty and had cracks. I looked at my reflection, but it smiled back at me, in a scary way. It whispered, “You shouldn’t be here.” 

Then, the room shook, and the mirror broke into pieces. I was surrounded by ghosts. They reached out for me and pulled me into the shattered mirror. Now, I am stuck with them, forever trapped in the spooky mansion.

Nahyean Bin Khalid is a student of grade 7 in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

How to improve English speaking skills and become a great communicator.

Abstract: To teach speaking requires planning of activities which is not only allows learners to practice oral language but also focus their attention on important linguistic elements that can improve their accuracy . Drawing on a substantial research base, this article discusses key dimensions in teaching speaking that can develop language learners` fluency, accuracy and complexity.

Key words: speaking skill, procedure , method, techniques, practice, shadowing


English is the world`s most studied language -around 20% of the world speaks English. Learning English can lead to new opportunities in life, including easier travel, that you can study higher education at some of the world`s top institutions, including the University of the People`s online programs, which are tuition free! 
Practice is the key to learning any skill, especially communication abilities. Speaking more often will allow you to boost your speech expand your vocabulary and proven methods to enhance your English skills.

Speaking skill.   

1.	Definition of speaking 
Speaking is one of the four fundamental skills that students should master. Speaking considered as a productive skill. I was impossible to separate it from listening . We create the text when we talk and it should be relevant . In the nature of communication, we may find the speaker, the listener, the message and the feedback . Speaking is inextricably linked to pronunciation since it encourages students to learn English sounds. 


Surround yourself with English. 
English is widely used. No matter where you live, you can discover English language menus, promotional materials, novels, movies road signs and more your foundation will be stronger the more you immerse yourself in and pay attention to these everyday English techniques.

  Make  sure to listen as well as speak 
One of the best methods to understand the formulation of sentences and build your vocabulary is to listen to people speak . Try listening to podcast and recorded conversation . From YouTube to real-life conversations there are so many places to access English speaking . 

 Practice with music and movies .
Most people enjoy some music or entertainment in form of movies to unwind and relax . You have the option of watching movies  in your native language with readable English subtitles.

 Find a Conversation Partner 
If possible, its best to find a native English speaker with whom you can practice your English . If you do not know anyone in your direct network, consider finding a tutor . Otherwise, you can practice your conversation skills.

        Four Important techniques to improve English speaking skills.
There are also a variety of techniques to help improve your English speaking ability. 

1. Speech Shadowing

Basically, this is mimicking a native speaker . The easiest way to practice speech shadowing is watch videos or a movie with subtitles. Read the sentences aloud after you have finished . Play it back after that while the native speaker is speaking. To mimic the flow and pattern as precisely as you can, try pausing in between . You can record yourself doing this if you want to hear how it sounds when spoken by a native speaker.


2. Self Talk  

Whether you choose to speak your thoughts out loud or record yourself singing. Talking to yourself and hearing the words will help you improve. You can also read out loud. 

3. Think in English 

This probably will not come naturally, but you can help train yourself to think in English by first translating the thoughts in your head . Otherwise, you can keep a journal or diary of thoughts and write in English.  

4. Retell a Story in English 

Start with something simple, like a fairy tale or traditional story from your childhood. Then you  can take this to the next step and challenge yourself to retell story that someone else shares in English. This helps to check your comprehension and understanding . 


Conclusion 
Community-based learning method is a method of learning that can be applied to learn language.  It is very functional because the learners learn the language like in real community.  It is conducted out of the formal or regular teaching learning process that usually done in the classroom. These speaking techniques will help you improve your speaking ability.  



REFERENCES 

1.How to improve English speaking skills
https://www.upeople.edu/blog/how-to-improve-english-speaking-skills/ 

2.https://www.avadolearning.com/blog/the-7-different-learning-styles-and-what-they-mean/


3.https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/teaching-methods

Pendulum Thursday Quilt

 

Make a quilt

of Thursdays and pendulums

we’re comforted by tedium

and the same words recurring

like pendulums, like Thursdays

like a pattern of words wording

what’s for dinner, how’s your day

who are you texting, we have to leave

now or we’ll miss Thursday

and the words you say on Thursday

and the pendulums that are weaving

of time and time a quilt.

Echoes

I dreamed a dream in my dead sleep, 
But I dreamt not of my weightless limping cry. 
I dreamed of hope, on their palms they balanced the scenery,  scenery of a better tomorrow.

I hear many voices,
Like its said a madman hears.
I hear trees talking,
Like its said a medicine man hears. 
Maybe am a medicine man, hearing, taking saps. 
For the voices are luring me to walk where springs and fountain unite in solitude. 

In the damp half light, dream wakes and 
the voices fade, now they become shadows 
that cling unto each other, but kiss the air only,
only beneath the moonlight, where the waters
tide blows them under. 

Fear squats at the feets of the faithful ,
And the sharp cries cut keen as knives.
The souls of men are stepped in stupor, 
And pain shudder shoulders, even to the bones. 

The drunkard drink of the spell of beguilness 
And tonight men eagerly drink from the bottle of greed. 
But turn now brothers, turn upon your side
Where we will settle to the sleep of the innocent.

©®Precious Moses
Country:Nigeria

now

i adjusted my attitude
in a quick thought this morning  
as i’m one for immediate changes
slowing down new directions
is a waste of time usually 
when enthusiasm is exploding in now     

i’ve been thinking lately
about how quickly time departs us
another year is now nearing its end
and with the speed that it’s travelling
paired with a major new issue 
my life could pass by fast as well

i sit outside under a kind sprawling tree
and chat with a magpie now my friend
we share our dreams with the sky
as the wind blows out tunes 
while a parrot watches closely 
with interest 
    
in a house nearby i hear people fighting
screaming loud is now not what i need
traffic speeds past me
hip hop music beats blast
a kid dances   
and people gather and clap  

a skinny guy at a café
who i’m getting to know  
says things aren’t too good for him now
i show concern for his angst
so he asks me to sit down
and shows me photos of his cheating lover

a musician and i chat outside of the cafe
and have coffees i buy now’s my shout
we laugh at stories we make up
share some secrets we’ve kept
the skinny guy joins our table 
and cries 
 

Stephen House has won many awards and nominations as a poet, playwright, and actor. He’s had 20 plays produced with many published by Australian Plays Transform. He’s received several international literature residencies from The Australia Council for the Arts, and an Asialink India literature residency. He’s had two chapbooks published by ICOE Press Australia: ‘real and unreal’ poetry and ‘The Ajoona Guest House’ monologue. His next book drops soon. He performs his acclaimed monologues widely. Stephen’s play, ‘Johnny Chico’ ran in Spain for 4 years. 

Sky in my Chest 

I will only sing to you, 
Hazan drew my heart. 
May my sad lines smile, 
Writing my heart because it was written. 

I look at you from my poems, 
My broken smile slipped from my lips. 
I look forward to the days I have seen 
I will find a way to every awake soul. 

Dead minds don't know me 
Anyway, he goes to his carelessness. 
They feel a sense of pride, 
Relying on malice and ignorance. 

The strangeness that makes them old, 
Self-indulgent malice. 
The rush of time makes me grow, 
Simple phrases that teach philosophy. 

Years do not spare Latif's face, 
One day my autumn will knock on the door. 
If I go, from right to left like my living eye, 
My living words will miss you! 

Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna (February 15, 1973) was born in Uzbekistan. Studied at the Faculty of Journalism of Tashkent State University (1992-1998). She took first place in the competition of young republican poets (1999). Four collections of poems have been published in Uzbekistan: “Leaf of the Heart” (1998), “Roads to You” (1998), “The Sky in My Chest” (2007), “Lovely Melodies” (2013). She wrote poetry in more than ten genres. She translated some Russian and Turkish poets into Uzbek, as well as a book by Yunus Emro. She lived as a political immigrant with her family for five years in Turkey and five years in Ukraine. Currently lives in Switzerland. Married, mother of five children. It was not possible to publish poems and translations written by the poet in the next ten years.