On my friend’s farm, I walk in hay. Stop at the sight of a dove with a broken wing. Its feathers are stained red with blood and eyes sink in their blue sockets fighting to remain open. The sun pierces gray clouds. My fingertips stroke its oat-colored silk beak, throat parched by yellow rays. I sit by the dove in the corner of my world reciting Hafiz’s verse, your separation from God is the hardest work in this world. Just rest. Life sustaining force vanishes. And in the mauve nook of its wings, blood dries becoming darker, the red color of cherries’ flesh in June. My fingertips stroke the plumage of its crown. Both wings collapse in the hay absorbing essence of fluid from veins, arteries and dark chambers. I’m mourning a morning dove. Peace has been stained and the two of us wait for rain to cleanse our souls. My arms open to the drizzle, face in mist. Nature gives a little reprieve then it showers us with grace. My bare legs, and arms spread apart and back rest in the softest nest. A five-pointed star surrender to the universe. How did the dove know to rest its body in hay to take its last breath? In this our home we gather our strength, then hand over the heaviness onto earth’s bed.
Jerrice J Baptiste is a visual artist, poet, author of nine books. Her watercolor drawings on paper have been accepted or forthcoming in Synchronized Chaos, Las Laguna Art Gallery exhibit in California, MER, Spirit Fire Review, Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine. She’s presented her art work at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY in 2025. She’s been featured as a solo artist at The Mountain Top Library in Tannersville, NY in 2025 & 2026. Her most recent poetry book called Coral in the Diaspora is published by Abode Press in 2024. Her poetry has been published in numerous magazines and journals, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Kosmos Journal and hundreds of others.
Geneviève Guevara lives in Belgium. She’s a very creative French teacher, poet, novelist, and painter. Writing is very important in her life and she organizes a monthly poetry festival in her hometown of Namur and a bimonthly poetry festival in Paris.
Cybersecurity: the visible consequences of an invisible war
In today’s digital age, humanity has achieved unprecedented convenience. With a single smartphone, we manage our bank accounts, access government services, work remotely, and even consult doctors. Yet behind these conveniences lies an invisible, silent, but dangerous battlefield — cyberspace. And on this battlefield, the struggle never stops.
Digital Trust in Crisis
Cybersecurity is no longer just a concern for programmers or IT specialists. It directly affects the daily lives of every citizen. A weak password, clicking on an unknown link, or carelessly sharing personal information can lead to serious consequences.
Globally, cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is no secret that hacker groups have brought even large corporations to their knees. For example, in 2017, the WannaCry virus shook the world by crippling the systems of thousands of organizations across hundreds of countries. This incident clearly demonstrated how costly negligence in cybersecurity can be.
Cyberwars: a new geopolitical front
Today, competition between states is no longer confined to land, water, or air — it also unfolds in virtual space. Cyberattacks have become tools of political pressure and weapons of economic sabotage.
For instance, the Stuxnet computer worm, discovered in 2010, entered history as one of the first large-scale cyberweapons targeting industrial infrastructure. It proved that a single command typed behind a keyboard can paralyze a factory, a power plant, or even an entire system in the real world.
This raises a simple yet profound question: if no war is officially declared, yet the electricity goes out, banking systems collapse, or data is stolen — what does that signify?
Social Media and Information Security
Cybersecurity is not only a technical issue. It is closely linked to information security. Fake news, manipulation, and data breaches influence public consciousness.
On social media, a single false report can reach millions of users within hours. As a result, trust erodes and social tension rises. Therefore, cybersecurity is not only about protecting servers — it is also about protecting society.
Uzbekistan and the Responsibility of a Digital Future
The digitalization process is rapidly advancing in Uzbekistan as well. E-government services, online payments, and distance learning systems are expanding. This elevates cybersecurity to the level of national security.
Today, from school students to entrepreneurs, everyone must know basic cyber hygiene principles:
Use strong and complex passwords
Enable two-factor authentication
Be cautious of suspicious links and files
Regularly update software and systems
Without a culture of cybersecurity, technological progress itself may become a source of risk.
Conclusion: The Choice Is Ours
Cyberspace is a field of opportunity. But with opportunities come risks. Carelessness in the digital world can cause real-life problems.
So the question is simple: do we use technology consciously, or do we become completely dependent on it?
Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue — it is a matter of collective awareness, culture, and responsibility in modern society. The invisible war has already begun. Victory in it depends on the awareness and responsibility of each of us.
Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Faculty of Philology 1st year student
Mother – The Heart of the Universe
Mother and nature. At first glance, these two words may seem unrelated, but at their core, they are deeply intertwined. When I look at the universe, every moment spent with my mother vividly comes to mind. If I look closely, the oxygen in the open air feels like my mother’s love—boundless and essential for every human being. Just as a person cannot survive for a single moment without oxygen, one cannot live without a mother’s affection or truly feel the most beautiful moments of life.
Even the seasons of nature remind me of my mother’s moods. When faced with external injustices and sorrows, her spirit may wither like autumn leaves falling from a tree. Yet, with her child’s success or even the smallest gesture of love, her heart blossoms like the first buds of spring.
Just as nature bestows endless blessings upon humanity, a mother provides the very best for her children, even if it means sacrificing her own life. Even if we observe the world of birds, the relationship between mother and child is clearly reflected. A mother bird, despite all dangers and hardships, never stops searching for food until her chicks are fed, often giving everything she has found to her young without eating a morsel herself. Is this not a reflection of a human mother?
Another truth I have gathered from the world is this: just as a mother brings a child into the world, nurturing and protecting them within herself, nature provides a home and all the necessary blessings for every living creature, including humanity.
The Impact of Family Conflicts and Divorce on Children’s Psychological State
Abstract
This scientific article discusses family conflicts and divorce. The main causes of divorce and disagreements include fathers’ betrayal toward their children and family, violence under the influence of alcohol, and avoidance of family responsibilities.
Keywords:
Family, divorce, family conflicts, violence, fatherless children, psychology of girls, social adaptation
Introduction
The family is one of the most important units of society. Its environment plays a significant role in the development of children as individuals. A healthy family is the foundation of a stable society. However, today, family conflicts and divorces cause serious psychological problems in society. These situations especially manifest in the mental and emotional state of children.
Although divorce is often assessed as a problem between husband and wife, it leaves deep and unforgettable marks in the lives of children.
Main Causes of Family Conflicts and Divorce
Experience shows that one of the main reasons for divorce is fathers’ insufficient understanding of their family responsibilities and their indifferent attitude toward them. A father in the family should be not only a material provider but also a moral support. In some cases, fathers’ negligence toward the family, betrayal, or defining everything by money undermines the atmosphere of trust in the household.
In addition, alcohol consumption is one of the factors that intensifies family conflicts. Violence arising under the influence of alcohol negatively affects not only the relationship between spouses but also the psychological state of children.
The Effect of Violence and Stress on Children’s Psychology
Children growing up in a violent family environment experience constant stress. Stress is the body’s response to negative external factors, and when prolonged, it negatively impacts the child’s physical development. Such children often have high levels of anxiety and fear, and their self-confidence is significantly reduced.
According to psychological research, children who witness family quarrels often experience:
Low self-esteem compared to peers
Difficulty in social adaptation
Persistent fear and anxiety
Psychosomatic and health-related psychological problems
These children struggle to express their thoughts freely.
The Psychological State of Fatherless Children
After divorce, in many cases, the father leaves the family, and children grow up without a father. Some children grow up without ever seeing their father. In such children, the internal need and longing for a father are strong, and sometimes even the sound of a door knocking sparks the hope that “maybe my father has come.” This reflects the unstable expectations and emotional void in the child’s inner world.
Fatherless children grow up craving affection. Mothers often try to give them love both as a mother and father, giving all they can, but a father’s love cannot be fully replaced. A father’s love is different and unique; every child has a personal place for the father that no one else can fill.
Fatherless girls often express themselves through education. Psychologically, girls who grow up without a father are forced to mature earlier. According to multiple studies, these girls demonstrate strong goal-oriented behavior. Among girls whose fathers left, the desire to support their mothers and make them happy is often very strong. Consequently, they strive for education, self-improvement, and earning a respected position in society. For them, knowledge is not only a means of development but also a tool to overcome life’s challenges.
At the same time, such girls have strong spiritual needs. Specifically, the need for a father’s moral support and prayers often remains unfulfilled. Receiving a father’s blessing (oq fotihasi) becomes a lifelong longing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, family conflicts and divorces represent a serious psychological issue for society. The greatest victims of these processes are children, who grow up with trust issues and health-related problems. In particular, girls who grow up without a father face greater challenges in life.
References
Scientific sources on family and psychology.
Articles on social psychology and the consequences of divorce.
A brief introduction about myself: My name is Orinboyeva Zarina. I was born on April 1, 2011, in Oqdaryo District, Samarkand Region. Currently, I am an 8th-grade student at School No. 43 in Oqdaryo District, Samarkand Region.
I have participated in numerous projects and competitions and am the holder of several international certificates. Twice, my creative work has been published in an American journal and once in the district newspaper. I have also participated in a conference in Germany and serve as a volunteer in Samarkand city.
For my creative works, I was awarded the “Hope of the Nation” badge. I also participated in the district stage of the Zulfiyakhonim Award. My creative works are indexed on Google, and I am a member of the Argentine Writers’ Association.
These achievements are just the beginning, Inshallah. I plan to continue developing myself and achieving many more accomplishments. I hope to present my creative works personally to our respected President one day. My ultimate goal is to become an outstanding journalist, admired and envied by all.
