When you die – my happiness is inevitable, Memories are bright inside – your history. I sing in your arms, my words are triumphant, Say “oh” every time you take your medicine.
Your height is higher than I value, The whole world is one world. Be a light, my country, with my body – Let’s say saffron to the poor.
If you are told to die with longing – He is the figure of Babur. – “dodi” in the language. With the “pen” that conquered the world, Your prayers will never fade away.
Take care of yourself, shield your freedom, The beasts are the prey of my sword. A clot of blood swirled around his chest. Don’t let it go like that – the sasi of ghanim.
Put a word in the heart – pain from clutching, Stay intoxicated with freedom. – Until I stay in your arms forever… – May I find luck in your arms…
Mahzuna Habibova Aʼzam kizi. She was born on October 10, 1998 in Jondor district, Bukhara region. Currently a student of Gulistan State University. In Uzbekistan, her first book, “Lines of Longing” was published.
“The Animal Farm” is a satirical work in the fable genre, published in 1945 by the famous English writer George Orwell. The work is about how the animals on the farm drive away their owners and establish an animal dictatorship. In this, Orwell skillfully revealed the evolution of revolutionary principles. The famous French revolutionary Danton’s phrase “The revolution devours its children like the god of Saturn” is also reflected in the work. Orwell completed this work from November 1943 to February 1944.
After reading George Orwell’s “Cattle Farm,” you can witness how he masterfully satirizes and sarcastically reveals the thirst for power, complex relationships, and social life based on lies. It creates the impression that these things are characteristics not only of humans but also of animals. But this is a very subtle metaphor that the author used to convey the problem to readers as clearly as possible, showing societies aimed at suppressing freedom of thought and speech through force and ideological mankurtization under the guise of “goodwill.” In this novel, the foundations of society are directly reflected in the lives of animals living on the farm. The human characteristics of these animals clearly show who is actually hidden behind the heroes.
The plot is very unusual, it is distinguished not only by the development of events in the main characters – the animals and the livestock yard, but also by the relevance of the problems of society reflected by the author. The novel is about the relationship between the weak and the strong, the foolish and the clever. In fact, this is an allegorical demonstration of the dictatorial regimes that the author saw throughout his life.
The internal political confrontation between humans and animals ends with the formation of a new ideal society based on the principles of equality. In the animal world, stratification occurs gradually, but its beginning manifests itself in the initial movements of pigs. Napoleon’s rise to power occurs naturally (the inhabitants of the farm have grown accustomed to his leadership) and by force (supported by the Nine Terrible Dogs). The political slogans being proclaimed (“Four legs are good, two are bad!”) were lies and propaganda, which were weapons for strengthening Napoleon’s position. The seven articles written on the warehouse wall are constantly changing and being adapted for managers. Everything that happens on the farm is changed in the opposite direction. In the minds of animals, it awakens a feeling of gratitude for the clarity of the sky and the peaceful coexistence, even if they live hungry. The story ends with the establishment of friendly relations with people and the complete assimilation of pigs, who first begin to walk on their feet, and then wear human clothing.
The artistic images of the main characters have their own historical or generalized prototypes. The working horse named Boxer refers to the working class who see the only way to improve their lives through daily work. The more difficult the situation on the farm, the harder the horse works. The boxer trusts his comrade Napoleon.
Old Donkey Benjamin – often remains silent, but occasionally tries to open the animals’ eyes to the government’s actions. It is this hero who understands the essence of what is happening in “The Animal Farm”: “They have never lived better or worse than this – hunger, excessive work, and deceived hopes, therefore, this is the unchanging law of life.”
Thus, the political elite of animals gradually becomes inseparable from the elite of humans. And here is a transparent reminder of what role an ordinary member of society plays in the system. The novel “Cattle Farm” remains relevant today.
This satirical work depicts the path to the creation of a totalitarian state. The author shows that even with the most vivid and correct idea, you can create a cruel and terrible truth. A story about how society turns into a herd. This applies to each of us. Everything is described in such a simple language that everyone can see it clearly. But if someone doesn’t want to see what’s happening outside their comfortable place, they won’t see it. Gradually, as the story progresses, everyone becomes equal, but some become more equal than others. Equal to the rest…
Through the joint efforts of the animals, the man was driven out of the farm, and they plowed the field together. Although everyone was considered equal, the pigs were clearly separated from the start, but the other animals were stupid and blind, and he followed their instructions, believing that everyone became equal. Soon the pigs became their masters. The rest of the animals lifted the pigs onto the throne with their own hands and whipped them. We all know that this work is actually not about animals, but about people, about a herd of people.
Otabayeva Khusniya was born in 2004 in the Khanka district of the Khorezm region into an intellectual family. Currently, she is a 4th-year student in the Primary Education program at Urgench State Pedagogical Institute. She is a participant in several anthologies and almanacs, the author of more than 30 articles and 3 books, and a recipient of the state scholarship “Navoi.” She is a winner of several republican and international competitions, as well as an official member of international organizations, and holder of an international diploma, certificate, and medal. Her articles are regularly published in prestigious journals and newspapers of such countries as Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, Great Britain, and Argentina.
Nothing blossoms here except these sunflowers. Not the hibiscus our mother planted by the orchard, or these lilies we buried with a prayer. Only these golden heads, standing with outstretched arms embracing sunlight.
I plucked one yesterday, rubbed its velvet against my cheek, and wondered if yellow can teach me something about staying alive. I plucked another before your voice broke out. When it cracked open, you sounded like a drum calling back its own silence. We both turned our faces to the window and hoped answers would someday fall in with the light.
Today, at dawn, we laughed like oiled doors on rusted hinges, swinging open and shut stories of childhood foolishness. We swore we would sink our fears beneath Agbami— that river where frogs sang falsetto as boys drowned things without dying.
At noon, the sun’s heat made you bow to the sand where you dragged a stick & spelled nothing, etching lines like someone trying to draw an escape route without a map.
At dusk, you smeared olive oil on your wrists again, said it keeps the ghosts from tightening their ropes at midnight. You looked like a man holding himself by a thread— fear had teeth, and you were offering your neck.
I didn’t ask questions. But I’m still here, plucking petals again, asking if you still believe.
Peace Ogunjemilua is a writer whose works explore nature and narratives rooted in cultural depth. He has contributed articles to magazines and was featured in the Nigerian Student Poetry Prize. He is a Sprinng Writing Alumnus, and he also interns as an architectural writer at Rethinking the Future (RTF). Peace runs a blog called ThinkGreen, focused on sustainable design, and with a background in architecture, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. Aside from reading, he loves graphic art and music.
“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
James Baldwin
In this issue, we explore how people are influenced by their times and cultures, and how they learn from and engage with the thoughts of their forebears. Also, we acknowledge the wealth of wisdom and life lessons carried within each person due to the events through which they have lived.
Amit Shankar Saha writes of then and now, memory and future, remembrance and forgetting, universal human questions. Duane Vorhees’ poetry evokes change, thought, aging, and the creative process.
Stephen Jarrell Williams speaks to memory and the human experience. Eva Lianou Petropoulou speaks to artists and authors’ learning from and being inspired by each other throughout the ages. Writer Rizal Tanjung offers up an existential analysis of Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poetry.
Giorgos Pratzigos interviews Konstantinos Fais on his artwork and advocacy for rediscovering Hercules and ancient Greek virtues. Muxlisa Khaytbayeva records her grandfather Jumaboy Allaberganov’s memories of knowing famed Uzbek author Omonboy Matjonov as a young adult and discusses Matjonov’s contributions to culture. Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamsodovna relates her scholarly and personal journey to understanding and illuminating Russian writer Alexandr Faynberg’s poetic legacy and its influence on Uzbek culture.
Kuziyeva Shakhrizoda highlights the Uzbek government’s investment in the nation’s youth and the incredible potential of their young adults. Otaboyeva Khushniya outlines how the psychology of early childhood can inform education. Su Yun collects and translates the work of Chinese elementary school students.O’tkirava Sevinch outlines strategies for learning Mandarin Chinese as a second language and for teaching the language in Uzbek schools. Olimboyeva Dilaferuz outlines verb conjugation rules in the Uzbek language.
Mashhura Farhodovna Joraqulova’s short story encourages students from low-income families to persevere with their education. Sevara Kuchkarova outlines strategies to motivate students to complete work at school. Rashidova Shaxrizoda Zarshidovna honors the life and work of a woman who mentored many of the girls at her school. Dilbar Aminova advocates for a balanced approach to screentime in young children’s lives. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva reflects on the value of her journalism education at an Uzbek university. Xo’jamiyorova Gulmira Abdusalomovna highlights the role of emerging and young poets in Uzbekistan’s national destiny.
Duane Vorhees compares the poetry of Phillis Wheatley and Nikki Giovanni as part of a broader comment on changing Black consciousness in the United States.
Cherise Barasch writes with respect for the hardworking people she observes digging into the earth in the heat. Yongbo Ma brings a poetic and scientific perspective to fog. Sayani Mukherjee contemplates peaceful natural scenes in a reverie. Priyanka Neogi compares accepting life’s changes to living through different seasons and times of day. David Sapp reflects on the transcendent experience of seeing a peacock. Dilnoza Islamova looks to nature’s beauty as an invitation to spiritual faith and practice. Maki Starfield sends up elegant reflections on weather and fruits in Thailand as Maja Milojkovic meditates on sunflowers, existence, and perseverance.
Brian Barbeito lets his mind wander to cosmological and existential places while walking near birds by a lake. Orinbayeva Dilfuza rejoices in the beauty of nature at springtime as Dilobar Maxmarejabova shares the emotional significance of tulips in her life. Don Bormon revels in the fun of rain at school. Mark Young renders up more of his fanciful “geographical” maps of Australian regions. Mathematics is a language we use to describe nature, and Timothee Bordenave discusses how his geometric studies inform his artwork. Mesfakus Salahin speaks to drought in Bangladesh in a meditation on accepting life and nature’s cycles.
Bruce Mundhenke urges humanity to turn away from hate towards love and acceptance. Vo Thi Nhu Mai illuminates the beauty and communicative power of the craft of poetry.
Leslie Lisbona sends up a childhood memory of having fun dancing to and figuring out rap lyrics. Marjona Baxtiyorovna Jorayeva celebrates sports and their fandoms and their power to bring enjoyment and bring people together.
Kholmurodova outlines strategies to bring digital access and economic opportunities to the world’s rural women. Rakhimov Rakhmatullo outlines challenges and solutions for logistics technologies. Sa’dia Alisher outlines some benefits, problems, and challenges from modern digital technologies. Gulnora Rakhimjonovna Khomidova explores the educational potential of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Jernail S. Anand relates how, regardless of the tools we use to craft our work, restraint and discipline can serve as a creative force. Dr. Debabrata Maji highlights the power of perseverance and devotion. Azemina Krehic compares the care she has for her poetic works to the process of washing her clothes on a line. Hassan Mistura speaks to the journey of developing a healthy self concept. Surayyo Nosirova reminds us to let go of the illusion of more control than we have and to stay open to change.
Grant Guy offers up stage directions for absurdist theater, an artistic reaction to periods of rapid social change. Ahmed Miqdad speaks to the absurd persistence of normal life amid wartime. Mykyta Ryzhykh, in a similar vein, evokes the quest for queer love and sensuality among bombs and bullets.
Pat Doyne laments violent immigration enforcement overreach in Los Angeles. Otabayeva Khusniya reveals the deeply humane vision of Erkin Vahidov’s work Rebellion of Souls, a tribute to the memory of Nasrul Islam and other artists who died as a result of unjust persecution. Chimezie Ihekuna shares some of life’s paradoxes and urges nations and groups of people to move away from war as a solution to issues. Mahbub Alam also puts out a call for peace, remembering the many people lost to war. Boboqulova Durdona laments the many civilian deaths in Gaza as Stephen House highlights war’s effects on ordinary people, especially children.
Muslima Olimova reflects on surviving an unhappy marriage and urges families to welcome young brides and for women to carefully consider before marrying. J.J. Campbell speaks to the lingering effects of trauma on people and the tension between hope and disillusionment. Dr. Bindu Madhavi speaks to the inner battles many of us fight as Mirta Liliana Ramirez evokes the pain of loneliness.
Doug Hawley’s short story presents several characters representing a mix of lawful and roguish motives and actions. Taylor Dibbert’s poem lampoons the worldliness of a priest and the devotion it still inspires. Sarvinoz Sobirjonova Abdusharifova depicts the dual nature of humanity: kindness and cruelty.
Kelly Moyer uses vegetable humor to convey and navigate the experience of chronic illness. Alan Catlin frames evocative images with words, plumbing the imagined photos for meaning.
Mark Blickley, a combat veteran who finished education later in life, reflects on what he gained as a person and an artist from popular literature and reminds the “literary” crowd not to so easily dismiss popular writers.
