The medal shines, the grade glows, the applause rises and then? A silence so heavy it almost swallows the victory whole. For a moment, the rush of achievement feels like flight, but the wings vanish too quickly. What remains is the familiar hunger, whispering: find the next one, chase the next high NOW.

This is the trap of fast dopamine in achievement. We confuse the thrill of recognition with the depth of fulfillment. A score on a paper, a flash of praise, the tiny red bubble of a notification they light up the brain like fireworks, dazzling but brief. When the glow fades, the darkness feels sharper than before, and suddenly the last victory doesn’t matter because the next one hasn’t arrived.

We tell ourselves this is ambition, but maybe it’s addiction. The rush becomes the goal, and the process becomes invisible. We run faster, collect more, smile harder, all in pursuit of a spark that was never meant to last.

But what if we slowed down? What if achievement wasn’t measured in bursts of dopamine but in the quiet satisfaction of becoming? True fulfillment is less like a firework and more like a flame harder to build, slower to catch, but steady once it burns. It comes from effort that no one claps for, from struggles that leave no medals, from growth that outlives applause.

The silence after achievement doesn’t have to be hollow. It can be the space where meaning settles in if only we allow ourselves to sit with it, instead of rushing to drown it out.

Author: My name is Jana Hossam, a passionate and driven student from Minya, Egypt, currently entering my final year of high school.

I’m the creator of GreenVolt — a plant-based electricity generator with IoT integration that provides clean, real-time monitored energy. I also developed the HEH System, a Smart Pavement project that converts heat, light, and motion into power.

As a facilitator, I teach more than 30 students and have interviewed over 100 participants from international programs. I’m also a freelancer in translation, writing, and minimalist logo design on Fiverr.

I actively participate in mentoring sessions, youth programs, and global initiatives like IRENA. With deep interests in tech, leadership, and education, I continue building a future that empowers young people — especially women — through innovation and impact.

My name is Jana Hossam, a passionate and driven student from Minya, Egypt, currently entering my final year of high school. I’m the creator of GreenVolt — a plant-based electricity generator with IoT integration that provides clean, real-time monitored energy. I also developed the HEH System, a Smart Pavement project that converts heat, light, and motion into power.

As a facilitator, I teach more than 30 students and have interviewed over 100 participants from international programs. I’m also a freelancer in translation, writing, and minimalist logo design on Fiverr. I actively participate in mentoring sessions, youth programs, and global initiatives like IRENA. With deep interests in tech, leadership, and education, I continue building a future that empowers young people — especially women — through innovation and impact.

Eternal Beauty

A woman is a rose in the distance!

She is the meaning hidden within the ribs.

When she is silent, the inspiration of her soul never ceases.

Rather, the world pays attention to the fluttering of her luminous thoughts.

She combs the light through her hair.

Faces blossom when she looks up and says, “Good morning!”

When she is silent,

the question subsides in the wind’s bosom.

Dreams are ashamed of their excessive splendor.

Her eyes are a window to light.

A deep charm melts the heart,

and sleeps on her eyelashes.

Her laughter… soothes long absences.

And pains fall asleep in her music!

She is eternal beauty,

When existence is quiet,

the universe is filled with splendor and radiance!

She is a woman who, when she loves, ignites the heart, 

and illuminates the ribs with more than words can encompass!

 

(Older Central Asian man, bald, standing in front of a Christmas tree, in a red shirt holding up a book)

SINGING DUST

(Dedicated to Ayo Ayoola-Amale) 

There is a shadow between us, 

imposing, to say the least, 

divining her intentions. 

She turned her head to the right, 

to the left, and back, searching for us: 

No, she didn’t find us. 

We are the singing stardust above her. 

On the other side of the shadows 

are your thoughts and mine, 

with this one too. 

They float, fall, spin, 

like snowflakes in an unstable 

space of vibrations, 

galaxies burning in myriads, 

each eternity of one 

evanescently small moment. 

We are not here. Or we are. It doesn’t matter. 

The shadow cannot separate our thoughts. 

 

Eldar Akhadov is the author of 72 published books of prose and poetry in Russian, English, Spanish, and Serbian, a member of the Writers’ Union of Russia, an honorary member of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, a member of the international PEN Club, co-chairman of the Literary Council of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly. Winner of the “Silver Pen of Rus'”, “For the Benefit of the World”, the State Prize of the Governor of the YNAO, the Gratitude of the Legislative Assembly of the YNAO, the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Culture of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, silver medals of the IV All-Russian Literary Festival of Festivals and the IV Literary Festival of Festivals of Eurasia …, More detailed information about the author can be found in electronic Wikipedias in Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Catalan, Portuguese, Russian and Czech

(Light skinned middle aged Latina woman with short dark hair, reading glasses, and a floral blouse speaking into a microphone).

May there be joy… 

May your eyes discover 

the small beauties of nature. 

May the scent 

of flowers perfume 

every moment of your days. 

May the morning 

sun color your cheeks 

and brighten your eyes. 

May the spring breeze 

give movement to your hair. 

May good memories 

refresh your memory. 

May your ears hear 

your favorite songs 

again and again. 

May the kisses 

and caresses 

of those you love 

and who love you make 

you sing and dance. 

May all this soothe 

your sorrows and pain. 

May joy envelop you 

and be the air you breathe. 

Ramona Yolanda Montiel Born in Mercedes, Corrientes. Currently living in Barranqueras, Chaco, Argentina. Retired Teacher and Social Worker. Writer of the Working Group “Together for Letters” director Mirta Ramirez, Chaco, Argentina.

I’m Tired, Mother!

In my heart — loneliness, a dark, deep pit,

For some reason, tears fall from my eyes a bit.

When night descends, it hurts, I admit —

I’m tired of fake smiles, Mother!

People surround me, yet I feel alone,

Their faces smile, but their eyes have turned to stone.

To find a true “human” — oh, how unknown,

I’m tired of false faces, Mother!

They look and smile, saying, “I’m near you,”

But once you’re gone — they throw stones too!

On the path you walked, they scatter thorns anew,

I’m tired of such people, Mother!

Someone walks beside you — calls himself a friend,

Yet leaves you lifeless, if your guard should bend.

“Dear one,” “Brother,” sweet words they send —

I’m tired of such sweet talkers, Mother!

People shed blood as if picking fruit from a tree,

Drinking the tears of children — heartlessly, endlessly.

But the Day of Reckoning won’t set them free —

I’m tired of the cruel ones, Mother!

When a mother cries, “My child!” in pain,

Even the heavens echo her cry in vain.

That blood won’t wash from the earth again —

I’m tired of the bloodstained ones, Mother!

So many creatures burned, so many homes fell,

Still, they feel no remorse — how can I tell?

They know no fear, no guilt, no spell —

I’m tired of the fearless sinners, Mother!

Perhaps truth has vanished from this life,

Everyone plays with hearts — deceit is rife.

Pure souls are but a fairy tale in strife,

I’m tired of seeking goodness, Mother!

Turdiyeva Guloyim. Born on June 9, 2007 in Uzbekistan. Author of several scientific articles and creative works.

Renku 

Marjorie Pezzoli (plain)

Christina Chin (italic)

JF Not K

pink tie

replaces ribbon

examination –bend over      

cancer‐like

incoherent lies 

the daily shots     

freckles 

become measles 

the good old days

Marjorie Pezzoli

Christina Chin

Whitewash List 

promises 

before the election

you won’t hear about after 

covert accounting 

schemes no rhymes

the listless list

Don’t Meet the Press

calling the shots

calling them back

elite with full coverage     

a gag order

for free speech 

no longer free

Brief Definition of Renga

Here is a brief definition of traditional renga:

Collaborative renga is a linked-verse poem written by two or more poets. It follows a simple alternating structure:

· A three-line verse (5-7-5 sound units)

· Followed by a two-line verse (7-7 sound units)

The core principle is link and shift: each new verse must connect to the one immediately before it, but the poem as a whole must constantly change scene, mood, and theme, creating a journey of diverse images.

In short, it’s a conversation in verse, where the joy comes from the unexpected path created by multiple poets.