Rp Verlaine lives in New York City. He has an MFA in creative writing from City College. He taught in New York Public schools for many years. His first volume of poetry- Damaged by Dames& Drinking was published in 2017 and another – Femme Fatales, Movie Starlets & Rockers in 2018. A set of three e-books titled Lies From The Autobiography vol 1-3 were published from2018 to 2020. His most recent book, Imagined Indecencies, was published in February of 2022A new volume will be published in spring of 2026.
Through every challenge, rise above, it’s up to you,
With spirits high, beneath an ever-watchful sky,
Push your existence to the heart’s bright aura, nearby.
In realms where fortune’s whispers softly gleam,
That brightens the soul, and shadows fleeting moments teem,
As clear as morning’s light, a guiding star,
To banish endless nights, no matter how far.
And seal your life, seal your fate,
With love and strength, forever bound,
In blessings deep, and joy profound.
Amina Kasim Muhammad is a Nigerian writer, poet, with a passion for writing and values her pen and book. She found herself by the way stories could transport her to different worlds and the way ideas could be shaped and shared through writing. She’s a member of Minna Literary Society (MLS). She’s on Instagram as Meena Kasim.
It is rough around the edges but that will eventually work out- the water will make everything smooth and flat and standard like an envelope.
I will let you in on something: when I was a boy my parents were octopuses. Do not task me
with explanations. I just knew. Okay. It was a certitude.
When I went to sleep my father had to lie in bed with me. I had recurring nightmares. Each night the room was filled with ghosts who wore red fezzes. I know it has Freudian overtones, but who knew then. Not even my father, who was a human. I think my mother sometimes kept him company, which settled nothing.
Anyway, I grew up, you might say. And I am acceptable, at least on the surface and that takes up most everything.
Where I Live
I am not Chinese. But I am married to a Chinese woman. And I have observed over years that if a Chinese person comes upon a patch of earth, they will fetch a pail and shovel, bring some seeds and plant a garden. It is all those years of agrarian living.
In my building there is an OC who had allergies. Instead of going to a doctor, he chopped down all the trees and bushes and every living green thing outside his window and then sat back pleasurably.
Mao Zedong took care of the sparrows in China. It was called The Great Leap Forward. Sparrows ate grain so the Chinese destroyed their nests and killed them off by noise and terror and exhaustion. Of course, sparrows ate locusts and when the sparrows were gone the locusts consumed all the crops. This was The Great Chinese Famine.
I am very partial to sparrows. When I approach and they hop off I find it very gratifying. In Montparnasse on the steps of Sacre Coeur Basilica I once fed sparrows from my hand and it was secretive.
Talking To The Tree
Looking up at the tree its heart hanging there aimlessly still I could see its filigree leaves and catkins
planning something: perhaps to pay a debt or fill an old order. There was an idea doubtless germinating in that bound body. I stopped my aimless wandering, my body stiff with age, my hands in my pockets, empty but for small change. What would I say to the tree? If we were in the same world it was only because of our bodies. The mind of the tree and its body were close together. My mind had flown from my body, a bluejay screeching in the uppermost branches.
In a world driven by technology, competition, and constant change, the true value of humanity often fades behind the screens of our digital lives. The 21st century has brought incredible progress — artificial intelligence, global communication, and medical miracles — but at the same time, it has created a silent crisis: the decline of kindness and genuine human connection. Kindness, once seen as a natural part of life, is now a conscious choice that must be protected and practiced every day.
Kindness is not just about smiling at strangers or offering help to the poor. It is a universal language that connects hearts and builds trust between people. A kind word can heal emotional pain faster than any medicine. A single act of generosity can inspire hope in someone who has lost faith in humanity.
Unfortunately, modern society often measures success by wealth, power, and fame — forgetting that true greatness lies in compassion. In today’s world, many people are so busy chasing their goals that they forget the importance of simple human gestures. We scroll through social media seeing tragedies and suffering, yet we often move on without feeling empathy. Virtual likes have replaced real emotions, and digital messages have replaced face-to-face communication. But humanity cannot survive on technology alone. Without empathy, the world becomes colder, lonelier, and more divided.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of how fragile life is and how much we depend on one another. During that time, we witnessed incredible examples of kindness — doctors risking their lives, volunteers helping the poor, and neighbors supporting each other. Those moments proved that no matter how advanced technology becomes, the heart of humanity still beats with compassion.
To restore kindness in the 21st century, we must begin with ourselves. It starts with small things — listening carefully, forgiving easily, and helping without expecting anything in return. Educational institutions and families should teach young generations not only knowledge but also empathy, respect, and moral values. Governments and organizations must promote social responsibility and create opportunities for people to do good. Kindness is contagious. When we treat others with respect and care, they pass it on.
Imagine a world where every person chooses kindness — there would be less hate, fewer conflicts, and stronger communities. Humanity’s future depends not on machines or money but on how we treat one another. The 21st century is not only the era of innovation — it should also be the era of compassion. Kindness does not make us weak; it makes us human. In every heart, there is a light of goodness. When we let that light shine, we make the world a better, warmer, and more peaceful place for all.
Dildora Khojyozova is a third-year student at Urgench State University, majoring in Geography. She is an active, creative, and ambitious young researcher with a strong passion for education, honesty, and environmental protection. Dildora has successfully participated in various academic projects, conferences, and writing competitions, earning several certificates and awards for her outstanding achievements. She is also one of the active members of the “Map of Honesty” project, which promotes transparency, integrity, and fair competition among organizations and educational institutions. Through this initiative, she aims to inspire young people to value honesty and social responsibility. Dildora believes that kindness, hard work, and knowledge can change the world for the better. Her ultimate dream is to become a well-known scholar, continue her studies abroad, and contribute to the sustainable development and bright future of Uzbekistan.
At least among the general public, Charles Bukowski has probably been the most influential American poet since World War II. His exceptionally short lines, his abandonment of rhymes and formal rhythms, and his themes (women, booze, gambling, jadedness, and economic distress) have inspired many — especially young men — to follow his approach. This is true for Taylor Dibbert as well. (He even invokes Bukowski’s approval in one of his poems.)
Every entry in ON THE ROCKS is grounded on drinking, whether he is reflecting on his love life, his divorce, the death of a beloved pet, his Peace Corps experiences, or the ordinary, mundane, events of his life — all of which are celebrated or consoled with one or more of his favorite beverages.
He is asked in the volume’s first poem why he enjoys writing poetry and his reply is personal before it becomes philosophical:
The search for freedom
The examination of pain
Revisiting old scars and
Processing fresh wounds
Readying myself for the fresh trauma and triumphs ahead
And he closes his mediation with a description of poetry’s effect on poet and receiver alike:
The urgent need to get to the point
And the fact that there is nowhere to hide
This statement is, I believe, the appeal for the Bukowski style. There is little or no metaphor, no fancy language, no flowery flights of fancy, no obscure vocabulary. I’m not sure how truly autobiographical Bukowski is — after all, in his work he refers to himself as Henry Chinaski — but nearly all his poems are relatable to readers who have experienced similar events or feelings; the unapologetic persona seems honest to a fault, using language that is easy to understand and relate to on a personal level.
Dibbert here follows Bukowski’s direction. After reading ON THE ROCKS we should all be able to form a clear opinion of Dibbert’s personality, his character, and his history in an empathetic way.
