Torment in the Heart

I became a captive among sorrows,

My head struck against stone again and again.

In the life I live, I am but a poor soul,

No one ever reached out a hand to me.

Trials have broken my strength,

My face no longer smiles at any joy.

What remedy can I seek now?

Is there still a chance for me to love?

Juraeva Aziza was born on March 26, 2000, in Uzbekistan. She graduated from Kokand University in 2023 with a degree in Primary Education.

Phoenix Whispers of the Ancient Trees

Poem by Lan Xin

Internationally renowned writer, poet and translator, member of the Chinese Writers Association. The only female inheritor of UNESCO-listed Dongba Culture, International Disseminator of Dongba Culture and practitioner of Chinese culture’s global outreach. Winner of the Italian Francesco Giampietri International Literary Award, President of Lanxin Samei Academy and Dean of Yulong Wenbi Dongba Culture Academy.

A thousand years ago

we took root together in this ancient temple

Century after century quietly passed

we became the most devoted ancient trees in all the world

Over this thousand years

through the silent turning of the four seasons

through the unpredictable cycles of life

we have witnessed this ancient temple

rise and fall fall and rise enduring all hardships

We watch beings come and go burn incense and pray

with thousands of wishes in their hearts

Yet our watch has never wavered

not even for a single moment

The butterfly bush blooms pure white in winter and spring

the golden osmanthus shines bright gold in autumn

the red plum blossoms blushing pink in the bitter cold

the Chinese crabapple bursts into rose-red in spring

the incense cypress wears eternal green all year long

Whether the temple is full of voices or completely still

whether incense burns prosperous or only broken walls remain

we stand root to root heart to heart silently guarding one another

Even if the halls collapse and only we are left in heaven and earth

we still firmly believe —

one day the phoenix will come stepping upon light

to reunite with us after a thousand years

Now heaven rewards this thousand year of waiting this endless longing

At last she has arrived —

the phoenix draped in ten thousand rays of golden light

Amidst total desolation she recognized us at first sight

Amidst utter ruin she chose us without hesitation

Amidst broken walls she restored the temple’s thousand-year glory

Amidst silence and loneliness

she made incense burn again and life flourish once more

Amidst the dust of years

she made this sacred land known to all renowned across the world

From this day on

we shall live and die with the phoenix never to be parted

This is the place where the golden phoenix returns to rest

This is the place where the golden phoenix spreads her wings and soars

If the world shall give us a new name

then bestow upon us —

Phoenix Ancient Trees!

Interpretation 

This poem takes the thousand-year-old ancient trees as silent witnesses and the phoenix as a symbol of light and rebirth. It speaks of the deepest bond between human and nature, and writes of waiting, guardianship and faith across time. This is the guardianship of life to life, the call of soul to soul, a great love that transcends race, borders and time.

May this pure deep feeling from the East by poet Lan Xin awaken the truest kindness and peace in the world and let love and light shine upon all humanity.

LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR ENSURING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Jumayev Akmal G‘ulom o‘g‘li
Student of the Public Security University of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Young people, as an active and creative segment of society, play a crucial role in public administration, which is essential for ensuring the democratic development and social stability of a country. The political engagement of youth and their possession of legal powers contribute to the protection of their interests, acceleration of modernization processes, and enhancement of their socio-political activity within society. These processes form a foundation for strengthening democratic institutions and preparing a new generation of political personnel.

Within the framework of ensuring the legal participation of youth in public administration, the role of parliamentarism and youth wings is a highly relevant issue. This direction requires an in-depth study of legal mechanisms aimed at creating stable foundations for youth representation within the constitutional and legal system of the state, as well as defining their rights and responsibilities. At the same time, it is necessary to analyze the existing regulatory and legal framework in the country that promotes youth political activity, identify practical challenges, and develop effective solutions.

The legal definition of youth and their position within the context of statehood is also of particular importance. Youth are generally defined in national legislation and international legal documents as a specific social group protected based on age criteria. For example, in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, youth are often defined as individuals aged between 14 and 30. From a legal perspective, youth represent not only an age category but also a group distinguished by specific rights, responsibilities, and state-supported mechanisms. In the context of statehood, youth are considered the future of society and a key element of social stability and development. Therefore, protecting youth and guaranteeing their rights is one of the priority directions of state social policy. Thus, the concept of youth holds significance not only in a socio-cultural sense but also in a legal context.

Participation in public administration refers to the process by which citizens and social groups influence state authority decisions and actively engage in their formation. This concept has evolved within the framework of constitutional and administrative law and is determined by the legal opportunities available to participants. From a legal standpoint, participation is exercised through various forms such as voting in elections, expressing public dissent, and engaging in the activities of public organizations. This process constitutes a fundamental component of the principles of legality, transparency, and accountability in public administration. Therefore, participation in governance is not only based on legal documents but also on practical political and cultural processes, ensuring that citizens—especially youth—play an active role in public life.

Comprehensive legal analysis of these issues serves as a basis for developing political and legal mechanisms aimed at protecting youth and ensuring their active participation in public administration through legislative frameworks.

The parliamentary system, as a form of state governance, ensures the independent and effective functioning of the legislative body. Legally, parliament exercises state power based on the principle of representation, meaning that the interests of citizens are expressed through elected representatives. Key principles include representation, rule of law, balance in governance, and transparency of parliamentary activities, all of which are enshrined in the constitution and special laws.

The involvement of youth in parliamentary activities is an important aspect of democratic development. In many countries, including Uzbekistan, there are normative legal acts aimed at encouraging youth political participation. The Constitution guarantees citizens’ political rights, including the right to vote and to be elected. Minimum age requirements are established for entering parliament, enabling youth to participate in the legislative process. In addition, youth wings and public associations serve to legally strengthen their political engagement.

From a legal perspective, youth representation in parliament is regulated by specific requirements such as minimum age thresholds, eligibility criteria for candidates, and other conditions. These limitations are intended to ensure that young individuals are prepared for political responsibility. At the same time, legislation seeks to expand their opportunities for representation. For instance, lowering minimum age requirements and creating favorable conditions for youth organizations contribute to encouraging youth participation in parliamentary activities. As a result, this promotes the renewal of political processes and strengthens democratic principles.

Legal mechanisms of parliamentarism play a decisive role in ensuring youth political activity and directing their effective participation within the system of state power. These mechanisms are закреплены (enshrined) through constitutional norms and special legislation, forming an integral part of democratic processes.

This legal analysis contributes to strengthening the role of youth and expanding their authority within the development of national legislation and democratic institutions.

A Missile and A Mother’s Lullaby—

A rebellion strikes within me,
Outside, thunder shatters the sky.
Before my eyes, high-rise buildings turn to ash,
Inside, a silent earthquake keeps shaking me.

I stagger, I run in all directions.
Leaves fall, scattering into the sky,
And like cotton clouds of silk-cotton trees,
I drift away into a white, floating realm.

Now I am only a drifting existence.

Yet sometimes I glimpse that familiar path of mine—
A forest wrapped in hills,
Birds flying freely into the open sky.

It is a land of no shortage of vastness,
A field where I can fly as I wish, wander as I wish,
And keep singing songs of love within.

Here, no fire of missiles falls,
No one sets traps of betrayal for another.
Beyond the violence of the earth,
With wings spread like birds,
That floating realm is enough for my two breaths of life.

But in this human world,
Human conflict burns the earth—
Burning buildings, burning soil, destroying lives.

Children startle awake from dreams
At the sound of war stories,
A chill runs through the bones.

In the forest, jackals keep howling softly,
As if even nature is mourning.

Yet a mother was supposed to tell stories—
A lullabying mother,
A soft song for a child’s gentle sleep,
A moonlit face full of peace,
A child like a sky full of stars.

If only I had a life that could dream like that…

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

28 March, 2026.

Md. Mahbubul Alam is from Bangladesh. His writer name is Mahbub John in Bangladesh. He is a Senior Teacher (English) of Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. Chapainawabganj is a district town of Bangladesh. He is an MA in English Literature from Rajshahi College under National University. He has published three books of poems in Bangla. He writes mainly poems but other branches of literature such as prose, article, essay etc. also have been published in national and local newspapers, magazines, little magazines. He has achieved three times the Best Teacher Certificate and Crest in National Education Week in the District Wise Competition in Chapainawabganj District. He has gained many literary awards from home and abroad. His English writings have been published in Synchronized Chaos for seven years.

Once when he was in grade ten in 1990, his Bangla letter was selected as the best one from Deutsche Welle, Germany Radio that broadcast Bangla news for the Banglalee people. And he was given 50 Dutch Mark as his award. They would ask letters from the listeners to the news in Bangla and select one letter for the best one in every month.     

From 17 to 30 September, in 2018 he received a higher training in teaching English language in Kasetsart University of Thailand for secondary level students through a government order from education ministry. 

On 06 November 2015 he achieved Amjad Ali Mondal Medal for his contribution in education field by a development organization in the conference and felicitation function for the honorable personalities at Rajshahi College Auditorium. 

On 30 December 2017 from West Bengal in India he was declared a ‘Literary Charioteer’ in Bangobandhu Literary and World Bango Conference and they awarded him with a Gold Medal in their International Literary Conference and Prize Giving Ceremony.

In 2018, he achieved Prodipto Lirerary Award in Prodipto Literary Conference at Kesorhat, Rajshahi for poems in Bangla literature. He received honorary crest from the administration of Chapainawabganj District Literary Conference and Cultural Function in 2021 and 2022 consecutively. 

His poems have been published in many international online magazines such as Juntos Por las L Raven Cage Zine, and Area Felix.  His poems have been translated and published in Argentine and Serbian, and he participated in many international online cultural meetings. 

What Have I Done for My Mother?

The heart that beats within my chest,

Needs no one but my mother best.

O my God, for her I prayed,

For a longer life to be displayed.

Yet I still ask, deep inside—

What have I done for my mother’s pride?

When I’m tired, she holds me near,

When I grieve, she shares my tear.

She works so hard, yet never complains,

Through all the effort, she remains.

Still I wonder, with a sigh—

What have I done for her, and why?

Deep in her heart, she carries me,

My radiant home, my sanctuary.

If her love spreads across the earth,

The world would bloom in endless worth.

Yet again I question, passing by—

What have I done for her, and why?

Sometimes silent, lost in thought,

When I ask, her answer is short.

Her face shines bright, her eyes so pure,

A gentle soul, so calm, so sure.

And still my heart begins to cry—

What have I done for her, and why?

I kiss your feet—my heaven, my light,

May you live long, in health and bright.

May you reach a hundred years and more,

With happiness forever at your door.

Yet I ask myself, I cannot deny—

What have I done for her, and why?

I offer her the light of the skies,

Even heaven’s flowers seem too small a prize.

With hands raised high, she prays for me,

A mother’s love, so pure and free. 

And still I wonder, with a sigh—

What have I done for her, and why?

No words can truly praise her grace,

My tongue falls short, I can’t embrace.

Her selfless love knows no end,

Her care, her strength, will never bend.

Sleepless nights she gave for me—

What have I done to repay her, truly?

MISSINGS

I miss your wet clay pot.

Do you miss my water?

IN PARALLEL

flowers (lovers) in fields

(with zeal) shed blooms’

blood (shuck loomed goods)

without blame (with no shame)

as winter comes (and future

Comes)

REALTOR

“I gave Milton Paradise

and gave Whitman Manhattan.

I gave Coleridge Xanadu

and gave Plato Atlantis. 

I gifted Adam Eden

and I gave Dante Hell.”

Then, please, Muse, grant me Heaven.