My Poetry Translation and Recording Featured in a “Sound Walk” at the Boston Public Garden
ECHOES APP
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
A collaboration with between Cantabridgian poet Jacques Fleury and Bostonian musician Rachel Devorah Wood Rome, Ph.D.by Jacques Fleury
“Sun Bathing” Image C/O Jacques Fleury
I am featured in a “Sound Walk” recording on the Boston Public Garden!
I was commissioned by Berklee College of Music Professor, Dr. Rachel Rome, who discovered me on the Haitian American Artists of Massachusetts Facebook page, to translate and record a poem to her naturalistic electronic musical composition at Berklee recording studios. The recording is divided into three sections, each having its own sound and intent achieved by dividing the poem into three parts. You can listen to it as part of your meditation practice, whether manually or at the Boston Public Garden itself should you be visiting or live in the Boston area.
The poem was originally written in English by Dr. Jason Allen Paissant, a professor of Jamaican descent who speaks seven languages.
It is about the manmade erosion of our natural wonders and entitled TREENESS. Below is the poem, the translation and link to the public garden recording which you can listen to manually or visit the garden to listen automatically on the app.
Check it out!
Link to my Haitian Creole translation of the poem Treeness at the Boston public garden, which will be there indefinitely…
You can visit and listen for years to come on your phone by downloading the ECHOES app!
“All Soundwalks are located at Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. Boston Common and Public Garden are open
from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. each day.
Installation Title: Jaden Piblik/public garden
A diverse collection of plants from around the world live together in the Boston Public Garden, embodying the ideals and contradictions of the United States. Heralded as the “first public botanical garden in the United States,” this historic site reflects a uniquely American paradox: the aspiration for multicultural democratic inclusivity juxtaposed with the tenants of colonialism. Nature is not left to thrive on its own terms but meticulously curated, shaped to conform to Victorian notions of beauty and order. jaden piblik is an electroacoustic soundwalk setting of the Haitian-Cantabrigian poet Jacques Fleury’s Haitian-Creole translation of the English-language poem “Treeness” by Jason Allen-Paisant. The work bridges languages and traditions, resonating with the complex, layered histories embodied in the Public Garden itself.”-qtd. from the Echoes website.
Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and literary arts student at Harvard University online. His latest publication “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self” & other titles are available at all Boston Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, University of Wyoming, Askews and Holts Library Services in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, amazon etc… He has been published in prestigious publications such as Spirit of Change Magazine, Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World anthologies out of India, Poets Reading the News, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide, Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene among others…Visit him at: http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury.–
Jacques Fleury’s book You Are Enough: The Journey Towards Understanding Your Authentic Self
Rachel Devorah Wood Rome Rachel Devorah Wood Rome is a Boston-based electronic musician, educator, and labor organizer. She values machines for their patience and capacity to remember. She is interested in superhuman prolongation, opaque complexity, the re-signification of archaic tools and materials, and parallels between the physical properties and social meanings of spaces. Her work has received support from the Adrian Piper Foundation (Berlin), EMS (Stockholm), INA/GRM (Paris), the Goethe Institut [DE], MassMoCA [US], the New Museum [US], New Music USA, STEIM (Amsterdam), Swissnex [CH], and Villa Albertine [FR]. It has been released on pan y rosas discos (Chicago); Infrequent Seams (NYC); and Full Spectrum Records (Oakland), published by parallax; Feminist Media Histories; and Ugly Duckling Presse, and has been heard in fourteen countries on four continents performed by/with artists such as Nava Dunkelman, Fred Frith, Forbes Graham, Brad Henkel, Seiyoung Jang, Ava Mendoza, Roscoe Mitchell, Robbie Lee, Lydia Moyer, Ryan Muncy, Liew Niyomkarn, Erin Rogers, and the William Winant Ensemble. She is employed as an Assistant Professor of Electronic Production and Design | Creative Coding at the Berklee College of Music, and Vice President of Full-Time Faculty with MS1140 AFT Massachusetts.
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.
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.
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.
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
Abdullaeva, G. (n.d.). Child psychology and education: The Uzbek perspective. Tashkent State Pedagogical Press.
Ahmedov, D. (n.d.). Educational reforms in Uzbekistan: Foundations and progress. Samarkand Academic Press.
Akhmedova, S. (n.d.). Developing emotional intelligence in early childhood. Bukhara University Press.
Alimov, R. (n.d.). The cultural dimensions of discipline in Uzbek society. Andijan Cultural Studies Press.
Baxromova, N. (n.d.). Family involvement in early childhood education. Ferghana Education Press.
Dustova, M. (n.d.). Integrating positive discipline into the Uzbek curriculum. National Pedagogical Review.
Islomova, Z. (n.d.). Teachers as role models in pre-school education. Tashkent Early Childhood Journal.
Juraev, K. (n.d.). Social norms and moral development in Uzbek pre-schools. Regional Educational Research.
Karimov, B. (n.d.). Legal frameworks for pre-school education in Uzbekistan. Tashkent Legal Studies Press.
Mamatova, F. (n.d.). Classroom management strategies for early years teachers. Namangan Teacher Training Series.
Nazarova, D. (n.d.). The role of routine in child development. Central Asian Pedagogy Review.
Rashidov, S. (n.d.). Parenting styles and discipline in Uzbek families. Journal of Social and Family Research.
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.
Paul Tristram is a widely published Welsh writer. He yearns to tattoo porcelain bridesmaids instead of digging empty graves for innocence at midnight, this too may pass, yet. His novel “Crazy Like Emotion”, collection of shorter fiction “Kicking Back Drunk ‘Round The Candletree Graves”, and full-length poetry collections “The Dark Side Of British Poetry: Book 1 of Urban, Cinematic, Degeneration”, “It Is Big And It Is Clever: Book 1 of A Punk Rock Hostile Takeover” and “South Wales Outlaw: Book 2 of A Punk Rock Hostile Takeover” are all available by Close To The Bone Publishing.
The ascended sun putting the night to sleep. At the evening walking, a frightened stray dog ran incredibly fast past us to pause down a dirt road looking for its way into the verdant shrubbery and trees where it lived. What was it running from? It was grey and black, big,- and that poor guy or girl, we thought, w/out a forever home, more alone than so many.
The Spanish style terra cotta roofs wait across the way, and they and everything receive the early afternoon sun. Hot. Humid. Breezy. Fine grain sands and long wide beaches, two silver fish came in near my legs and looked around at the shallow world briefly. My God how much like paradise with the turquoise waters gently rolling around under azure sky sometimes holding puffy white cumulus clouds. It had rained but the land is magnanimous and forgives such things quickly,- transitioning back to normalcy.
Tans. Supermarkets. Many different cultures looks and languages from all over the world because the sea and the sun is most certainly the world ‘word,’ the earth cosmopolitan-language that all agree on. Several languages…English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Papiamento.
Blue gecko lizards. Palm fronds. Glimmer of light upon objects. The friendly cabbie. The plane in the sky, the slow moving cruise ship, the smaller vessels of the harbour and patio drinks,- beer, soda, Pina Colada. Flags flying in wind. Silver trinkets in the sun. Atmospheric serene. Walk and walk. Jump in the sea. Sit on chairs or in the sand. Conversations about the world and things,- talks w/friends. Pictures and prose poems home….
TWO
A Prose Poem for the Night, the Sea, the Sky and the Sun Scenic
The night is full, robust, obviously dark. From the balcony one can see shapes and there is some soft light upon the palm trees and stucco structures.
Then the break into light, but it’s a quiet and such a minute break. It knows its way and does this every day, this daybreak, this ancient and new movement of existence.
A bird begins to sing. Eventually more. A pelican arrives up the way as every day, in order to look at a certain set of balconies or the roof. Terra cotta condominiums, green fronds, potted trees, the Divi Divi trees, coastline, looking southwest for the trade winds that travel across the region. The parrot that arrives the first day to great Tara hasn’t been back, and though real is more like a spirit message, an auspicious sign of some sort. (Things like this often happen to her, especially w/birds. The birds sense her spirit and essence and like her very much).
Walkers. Joggers. Workers. Awakening world. Bus. Taxi. Later perhaps the cruise ships docking. Electric bike. Electric scooter. Soft gentle breeze. Parachute pulled by motor boat. An elderly soul, a man, is walking towards the sea. I think now the sun has risen enough,- and it’s not too hot or oppressive in brightness and humidity, that I will begin to gather my things and also go to the ocean and into it for a little swim. Yes,- I’ll let the singing birds and curious but coy geckos be, and venture off to see the sea, the six o’clock hour sea…
THREE
Meditations on the Night and its Moon
Inside the night the clouds definitely moved in. They appeared to make a magical fluffy frame around the moon. Below, the stucco resorts, palm trees green lit by electric lights. More distant lights also. Then, it is the rain’s turn to act. Slow dawn and early morning showers. Then the perennial ‘torrential’ downpour, but that’s okay. The cars scatter. The trees become frumpy. The sand turns a darker shade, brownish. Maybe later it will stop and the bright rays of light will come again,- warm, nurturing, healthy, joyous, calm, kind,-
Sitting for now though,- balcony way,- musing pensive philosophical inward in the outward, two birds come by making their morning rounds. It’s not that they are necessarily a sign and there for me,- for this is THEIR home, but…it’s nice they are not afraid of me,- don’t feel or see anything in my spirit that is acrimonious,- and look at me, walk right to my side and feet.
‘I don’t have anything for you birds,’ I mention for fun,’ not this morning…’ it’s later I shall feed them, by palms and stucco walls where iguanas live also under that continual afternoon wind.
And they jump up and make the rest of the rounds. I gaze momentarily out. A sea of rain, mist, foggy-type atmosphere of the tropical arena of abodes and dwellings, restaurants and passageways to the beach, to the scenery of sand and sea.
FOUR
Of Time, Travellers and the Beloved
Rainy. The clouds have won today. That’s okay. A different atmosphere for the orange city by the sea. Verdant kelly green shrubs. Kittens. Lizards. Shapes in clouds moving. The flora and fauna need the rains. We still got to swim in the ocean. Tides changing and a plane. A pelican. Even the inland ants and little birds. Nice enough. Let’s take a walk after getting snacks and some change of clothes.
Stucco buildings. Bright yellow flowers. Pink ones too. Tall palms. Pastel visions of structures light blue and green and orange. The shapes of buildings. Balconies. Breezes. A pontoon boat and a tour boat. The world there. Nice people. Sand. A shell, an old conch shell. Ghostly wind. The trade winds again that blow over the island entire and head south west. What’s this?- thunder- how interesting and different. Capricious weather- sun shade rain sun shade rain wind breeze calm.
Interesting. I notice again how Tara is so beautiful,- a smile and dimples and shining eyes true and intelligent, curious, knowing.
Love. We love the sea, also like an old true beloved soulmate. We love the sand, like the greatest and trusted of friends. And we love the sky, its sun and cloud, even its rain-like shroud…yes we love even the rainy sky, for so many reasons why!
FIVE
Through Dawn, Rain, and Day
Dawn brightly announces itself and the winds that have remained travel through the worlds of verdant palm fronds and the stucco buildings. A blue lizard, a gecko, my favourite type, watches, plus a green one beyond. There is the pool, plus the green grasses where cats play and friendly tourists feed them.
Cruise ships bring in thousands of people but for the most part, the lands absorb them. Some noise and conversations. Many souls want to see the blue and turquoise sea, the white clean and clear fine grain that is somehow not even that hot to walk upon barefoot.
Dusk, sun beginning a descent,- up steps across the way to a fine restaurant for pizzas and pastas, drinks like Cuban-style Mojitos, Sangria, and even plain water and Coke Zero. Of course coffee also. Nice. Many more souls. Italians. Americans. South Americans. Canadians like us, plus others. Walk home after,- the darkened sea for nocturne beside us to the right, and the electric lighted buildings to the left. See the pool illumined by various lights electric. Then,- balconies and calm conversations plus soft music.
Coffee. Tea. Water.
What dreams will arrive via the night?- good or bad or mixed,- and,…these strange times marginal imaginations like when one floated in water earlier with ears covered by the sacrosanct sublime scene of sea…- staring up upon the clouds moving not fast or slow but just right with wizards gnomes people buildings spaceships spirits as if appearing then dissolving and travelling inland outland across to here-there-everywhere both north and south,- along and over this whimsical wondrous Orange City,———……
