First of all, published poet and contributor Tao Yucheng is still hosting a poetry contest, open to all readers of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Synchronized Chaos Poetry Contest: We seek short, powerful, imaginative, and strange poetry. While we welcome all forms of free verse and subject matter, we prefer concise work that makes an impact.

Guidelines: Submit up to five poems per person to taoyucheng921129@proton.me. Each poem should not exceed one page (ideally half a page or less). All styles and themes welcome. Deadline for submissions will be in early March.

Prizes: First Place: $50 Second Place: $10, payable via online transfer. One Honorable Mention. Selected finalists will be published in Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Next, poet Yucheng Tao’s new chapbook, The Mirror Image of Death, has just been released from Alien Buddha Press! People can order it here.

J.J. Campbell’s new book To Live Your Dreams is also out and available to order here.

Welcome to this month’s issue, Paying Attention.

Across poetry, fiction, essays, memoir, and scholarship, this issue asks what it means to live attentively: to create honestly, remember faithfully, love fully, and choose responsibility in an impermanent world.

Jacques Fleury honors the many contributions of Black Americans to society and argues that the United States still needs to celebrate Black History Month due to their lack of knowledge of essential history and context.

Sayani Mukherjee presents spring as both gentle and haunting, reminding us that loss and regrowth are both intimate parts of our experience. Berdirahmonova Shahlo Sherzod qizi expresses poignant longing for the return of joy and love in the spring. O’giloy Kucharova celebrates the social and natural renewal of spring as Christina Chin’s haikus evoke winter’s precarity and solitude. Brian Barbeito’s work dissolves boundaries and outlines in the dark of night and the way the rain falls everywhere, inspiring an open, receptive state of mind. His next piece evokes a chilly and aesthetically under-defined winter day.

Ma Yongbo’s wintry and tough-minded poetic cycle poses the question of what it means to keep creating when permanence and perfection may be impossible. Lan Xin’s pieces honor restraint, the diversity of life, and working with the natural rhythm of life’s seasons. Mykyta Ryzhykh calls attention to how both death and rebirth in nature bring us out of our ponderings and back to the present moment. Sterling Warner draws upon fresh and salt water and psychological and physical weather Linette Rabsatt’s poems take joy in letting go of the conscious mind and listening to the natural world as a source of inspiration. Joseph Ogbonna meditates on the stillness and inspiration of an early dawn. Gezim Basha, in work translated by Marjeta Rrapaj, celebrates tender love and living an authentic life. Yo’ldosheva Zinnura writes of the need to care for and consider our impact on the environment and climate.

Mehreen Ahmed’s work explores art, creativity, complicity, and displacement. Alan Catlin’s ekphrastic poetry crafts scenes of still life interrupted by violence and chaos. Bill Tope’s short story critiques immigration enforcement violence in the United States through the terror of one wrongly targeted victim. Kelly Moyer’s absurdist, provocative video speaks to the same topic as Leticia Garcia Bradford offers a local perspective and Pat Doyne brings strident satire to the issues of the day. Umid Najjari offers a poetic tribute to those who lost their lives in the Iranian revolution. Sungrue Han’s poems evoke alienation, dislocation, and collective and individual trauma. Mahbub Alam decries human greed and the destruction of other humans and the natural world and encourages care and respect. Virginia Aronson draws attention to modern crimes committed by government agents and by international criminal gangs, suggesting a comparison.

J.J. Campbell brings his signature blend of hard-earned cynicism and exhaustion. Scott C. Holstad snatches bits of sweetness and color from complex and artificial modern life. Türkan Ergör reminds us of our mortality and vulnerability to various human struggles. Like a wanderer tiptoeing through dimly lit rooms in a house, Carl Scharwath’s poetry moves from loss to relief to conscious acceptance of stillness. Allison Grayhurst’s poetic cycle sheds, releases, and re-forms visceral emotions. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Dalai’s work carries the quiet dignity of someone who feels deeply but speaks carefully.

Mesfakus Salahin’s work addresses the alchemical transformation of formless feeling into legible thought through poetry. Shakespeare Okuni’s poem highlights the role of ritual and performance in meaning-making. Alex Johnson sets out a manifesto for artistic openness and an aesthetic that welcomes diverse sources of inspiration. Stephen Jarrell Williams evokes life, innocence, joy, and energy in his restrained pieces. Rus Khomutoff’s piece is at once overabundant, technical, and tender, perhaps more intended to be entered into than understood.

Abbas Yusuf Alhassan’s ars poetica explores the various forms poetry takes in his mind and how inspiration hits him as an artist. Duane Vorhees probes desire, time, chance, and memory. Nurbek Norchayev meditates on nature, time, and the life of the soul. Michael Robinson’s essay is a lived testimony of fear, darkness, illness, strength, forgiveness, and survival. Maja Milojkovic speaks of her personal spirituality and closeness to God. Sarah Adeyemo also reaches for her faith for comfort and the strength to keep loving even through a time of desperation and grief. Patrick Sweeney’s one or two-line thoughts provoke head-scratching and evade easy answers. Texas Fontanella jumbles a variety of words and symbols into a static buzz. Grzegorz Wroblewski’s asemic pieces reflect a mind in motion, jumping and self-editing mid-thought from one idea to another.

Susie Gharib navigates the emotional landscape of power, voice, myth, and lived reality. Mark Young contributes a fresh set of altered technicolor Australian landscapes. Cristina Deptula observes and comments on Dianne Reeves Angel’s memoir of a creative life in film production, Every Restaurant Tells a Story. Federico Wardal celebrates the film legacy of Italian filmmaker Billy Wilder. Taylor Dibbert enjoys traveling despite occasional moments of personal embarrassment. Xo’jyozova Dildora looks to ecotourism as a way to sustainably strengthen local economies.

For travel in a more metaphorical sense, Abdugafforova Muslimaxon Akmalovna reviews Qobilon Shermatov’s fantastical children’s tale The Country Inside My Grandfather’s Stomach. This book addresses issues of personal character, as each person’s “interior” reflects who they are and how they behave.

Other authors look at individual and collective character and moral choice. Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poems express her hopes for peace, understanding, compassion, and humanity. Gordana Saric echoes that hope, wishing for worldwide love, understanding, and reconciliation. Maftuna Sultonova reminds us of the infinite value and dignity of each person. Nigora Baxtiyorova analyzes infidelity as a theme in Uzbek literature. Xasanova Aziza Kumushbek qizi peers into even more Uzbek literature and finds a timeless warning about how one’s life and dignity matter even more than one’s reputation and fame. Journalist Elisa Mascia interviews Azerbaijani author Jakhongir Nomozov and he affirms the need for authors to master their craft and speak their truth regardless of passing fads or popularity. Solid work will stand the test of time.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand suggests that a complete education not only teaches technical skills but also how to be a decent human being. Kodirova Shakhzoda highlights the cultural importance of Uzbekistan’s cultural values of compassion, courtesy, respect for nature, and courage.

Dr. Barbaros İrdelmen mourns love lost to human and societal pettiness, and to death. Bill Tope and Doug Hawley co-present a tale of loss, guilt, and redemption. Mehrinoz Tursunova’s bittersweet love poem prepares for an impending separation. Eshmatova Marjona Kamol qizi outlines ways social service systems can intervene to support children from dysfunctional families. Nurboboyeva Dilshoda Nodir qizi evaluates the psychological effects of divorce on children and suggests ways to help them through the transition.

Dildoraxon Turg’unboyeva reflects on childhood memories and her love for her departed grandfather. Gulsevar Mirzamahmudova honors her hardworking migrant laborer father for his care and determination, reflecting on how she misses him.

Malohat Ahmadjonova expresses love and gratitude for the hard work and dedication of her parents, who made sure she dressed well and received an education. Mashrabxo’jayeva Feruzakhon offers gratitude for the steady love and care of her parents. Nurullayeva Nigora Nurmurod qizi’s poem expresses her love and care for her mother, who has given her so much. Ismoilova Sarvinoz reflects on how much her parents have loved her over time and how she wishes to return the favor as they age. Shafkat Aziz Hajam fondly remembers the freedom and wonder of childhood, made possible by his caring parents.

Islamova Dilnoza Khamidovna gives thanks for a caring and steady friend as Rukhshona Khamzayeva shares her gratitude for a dedicated teacher. Zarifaxon Holiboyeva reflects on missing her family and her classmates in a young student’s piece full of tender affection. Toshpulatova Mehribonu Sherbek qizi rejoices in the love of her sweet sister. Alisherova Hurmatoy reflects on the power of her lover’s kind words to calm her spirit. Graciela Noemi Villaverde draws on elegant nature-inspired imagery to express her love. Chinese academic Bai Gengsheng pays tribute to his loyal and hardworking wife, acknowledging that her steady support over many years made his accomplishments possible.

Aziza Xasanova compares waiting for the unfolding of love to allowing a fig tree to leaf out in its season. Lan Xin’s epic, mytho-romantic piece affirms the choice of embodied and temporal love over transcendence and divinity.

Ozodbek Narzullayev’s verse expresses adoration for his country as if it were his lover. Jahongirova Gulhayo Jahongirovna’s rhyming poem pays tribute to a man of deep loyalty, patriotism and integrity. Abduganiyev Shexrozbek discusses the inter-related nature of the Uzbek national concept, legal system, and spiritual values in shaping the culture.

Kudratova Nozima Bahromovna explores the narrative style of Uzbek writer To’gay Murod. Madina Jorayeva’s essay highlights the contributions of translator and critic Ozod Sharafiddinov to Uzbek and world heritage and literature. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva translates Ozod Sharafiddinov’s essay celebrating and analyzing the literary value of poet and translator Abdulhamid Sulaymon og‘li Cho‘lpon’s contributions to Uzbek literature. Nargiza Masharipova celebrates the cultural interchanges made possible by the migration of the world’s peoples. Sultonaliyeva Go’zaloy outlines some of the factors encouraging and driving migration. Ubaydullayeva Saodat celebrates the literary artistry and truth-telling of one of Uzbekistan’s greatest poets, Alexander Feinberg. Xayrullayeva Zahro suggests ways to preserve the high literary quality of the Uzbek language and not lose it to abbreviations and modernisms. Rizoqulova Parvina Ramzovna analyzes the relation between language and culture.

Munavvar Tlewbaeva speaks of the comfort she finds by reading books by authors who understand and write of her feelings. Odinaxon Qodirova highlights ways to encourage young people to read. Yusupboyeva Madina rejoices in the persistence of reading culture among young people. Turgunova Kh. suggests strategies for teachers to effectively communicate with young Generation Z students.

Karimova Navbaxar Mahmudjanovna suggests strategies for encouraging creative thinking in children. Jorabek Muhammadolimov raises awareness of how too much scrolling and flipping online can lead to difficulty concentrating. Choriyeva Oynur warns of the consequences of overuse of smartphones and the Internet. Roziboyeva Asilakhon speaks against digital surveillance and fear-driven self-censorship.

Isroilova Sarvinoz Maxmud qizi discusses how to use educational tools to teach young children mathematical concepts. Barnoxon Baxtiyorjon Yoqubova considers strategies for integrating physical play with learning arithmetic. Amirqulova Gulsevar discusses digital innovations in education. Daminova Sevinch Tuychi qizi highlights the enlightened wisdom and teaching of Uzbek children’s educator Abdulla Avloni. Lazokat Ortigaliyevna Pirmatova relates how participating in competitive mental arithmetic helped her to develop confidence and the ability to think on her feet.

Nilufar Ibroximova suggests how new Uzbek textbooks could be crafted and used to help young children develop critical thinking. Norquolova Madina highlights the value of learning a second language. Haydarova Mehribon outlines various methods for learning the Mandarin Chinese language, coupled with history and background of the tongue. Mansurova Shahnoza parses the finer points of verb conjugation in French as Xurramova Farangiz compares the process in French and Uzbek. Masharipova Sayyora compares proverbs in French and Uzbek and how they reveal cultural values. Nilufar Mo’ydinova outlines techniques for learning German through approaches from the field of translation. Najmiddinova Mekhrigul Najmiddin qizi delves into the intricacies of language translation. Abdurahimova Anora’s essay considers the impact of one’s first language on the process of learning a second language. Mengboyeva Baxtiniso Mamatqobilovna highlights the value of language teachers’ maintaining a culture of competence in spoken language.

Several contributors work and research in the language of other academic and professional disciplines. Lutfullayeva Shaxrizoda Faruxjon qizi outlines the current state of pneumonia diagnosis and treatment in young children. Mansurov Abdulaziz Abdullox ugli highlights the importance of preventive dental care in children. Fahriddin Akramov’s essay describes treatment for a variety of neurological conditions. Mamatqulova Mukarram Nuriddin qizi speaks to the life and academic stresses students endure and how to protect their mental health. Nasulloyeva Feruzabonu Akmalovna discusses the nature of scientific innovation and how to encourage it in Central Asia. Durdona Sharifovna Roziboyeva discusses the effects of the Herbst dental appliance on the upper airway.

Eshmurodova Sevinch explicates methods of improving deposit mobilization policies in commercial banks. Iroda Sobirova outlines basic principles of supply and demand in a market economy. Sobirova Iroda Abdulaziz qizi highlights strategies to foster innovative entrepreneurship. Mamadaliyeva O’giloy asserts her power and determination to become successful in academics and business.

Baxshilloyeva Nigina Bahodir qizi offers inspiration to young women seeking to live their dreams. Axmetova Dilnura Po’lat qizi outlines the historical and contemporary role of women in Central Asian societies. Sevinch Farxodova highlights the importance of gender equality and initiatives to that extent in Uzbekistan.

Shahnoza Pulatova Makhmudjanovna outlines and describes how Uzbek society is modernizing politically, economically, and socially. Dilafruz Muhammadjonova expresses fervent pride in and hope for Uzbekistan and the desire for the nation’s youth to rise up and take their place. Priyanka Neogi outlines ways to overcome depression and apathy and keep working towards one’s goals. Ziyoda Murodilova highlights the importance of internal motivation and determination for students to achieve their goals. https://synchchaos.com/essay-from-orzigul-sherova-4/Orzigul Sherova presents, in a similar vein, her secrets to success through passion and hard work.

We hope that this issue inspires you to create your place in the world with intention and joy.

My Unfulfilled Dream

At dusk one evening came the dreadful news,

In one short moment, hearts were torn and bruised.

My hands and feet began to shake with fear,

My eyes would not rest—pain drew ever near.

A passing soul, now turned into my grief,

A dream unfinished, no hope of relief.

Who is the star now shining in my sky?

Who fills my home where warmth once wandered by?

Who will embrace and whisper, “grandchild dear,”

And hold them close with love so pure and clear?

No longer markets—now the grave I seek,

No longer you—I hug the stones so bleak.

Whom shall I call my grandfather once more?

In this brief world, you are my deepest sore.

I failed to call, not even once in time,

I could not serve you—this remains my crime.

Your tearful eyes I caused without a word,

This single thought has crushed my soul unheard.

I never spoke a final gentle line,

Perhaps I thought that moment wasn’t mine.

I did not hug you, did not say goodbye,

My last true words remain unsaid, a sigh.

In truth, I thought of only me alone,

Today I’m weak, unworthy, overthrown.

One final plea I ask of you, my guide:

Please forgive me—be content inside.

Childhood

I took a pen and paper in my hand,

And wandered through the moments time had planned.

Sweet innocence, so pure and free from care,

A playful youth with laughter in the air.

Mischief-filled hours, joyful and unbound,

Those lively days where endless smiles were found.

In truth, childhood was a kingdom grand,

Where every wish obeyed the heart’s command.

Dildoraxon Turgʻunboyeva is a fourth-year student in the Preschool Education program at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of Kokand State University.

The Effects of Overusing Phones on Mental Health

Choriyeva Oynur

Uzbek State World Language University, Faculty of English Philology, 2nd-year student

Annotation:

This article examines the effects of excessive phone use on human mental health. It analyzes the psychological, behavioral, and physical consequences of overuse, including increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, decreased attention, and sleep disturbances. The purpose of the study is to highlight the negative impact of prolonged screen time and emphasize the need to develop healthy digital habits.

Keywords: overall well-being, overusing gadgets, stress, negative effects, human mental health, healthy lifestyle, screen time, depression, isolation, relationship issues.

Introduction:

The advent of smartphones and social media has brought significant changes to modern society, with profound implications for mental health. Smartphones have transformed the ways people communicate, learn, and entertain themselves; however, their constant presence can lead to compulsive use and psychological dependency. Continuous streams of notifications and updates often create a sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO), increasing anxiety and stress levels. Moreover, excessive smartphone use can interfere with sleep quality, an essential component of mental well-being.

Similarly, social media platforms, while offering opportunities for connection and self-expression, can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Frequent comparisons with others and the desire for validation through likes and comments may distort an individual’s self-perception, ultimately leading to decreased self-worth and emotional instability.

Main Body:

Mobile phones and their impact on the mental health of children and young people have increasingly become a subject of concern and academic inquiry. While mobile phones provide numerous advantages—including access to information, communication, and learning tools—they may also pose several risks to psychological well-being. The extent of these effects can vary based on individual factors such as age, frequency of use, and the type of digital content consumed.

Increased Anxiety Levels:

Excessive smartphone use can lead to heightened anxiety, often referred to as “digital detox anxiety,” which occurs when individuals are separated from their phones for extended periods. This anxiety may manifest through physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and heart palpitations. Additionally, delayed responses to messages or missed social media notifications can trigger similar stress.

Social media further exacerbates this issue by encouraging constant comparisons with seemingly perfect lives online. Such comparisons foster feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, increasing stress and anxiety. Individuals addicted to smartphones may spend more time scrolling through social media than engaging in face-to-face interactions, leading to social isolation.

Difficulty Sleeping:

Exposure to blue light emitted by smartphone screens, particularly within two hours of bedtime, can disrupt melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. This can result in difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and worsened mental health outcomes. Keeping a smartphone nearby during sleep increases the likelihood of being woken by notifications and elevates pre-sleep stress levels, further impairing sleep quality.

Isolation from Social Interactions:

Smartphone addiction can reduce real-world social engagement with family, friends, and peers. Constantly checking for updates or notifications limits meaningful face-to-face interactions, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Depression:

Frequent comparisons with idealized social media content can contribute to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, which may develop into depression. Prolonged exposure to social media has been linked to higher rates of depressive symptoms, particularly among individuals prone to negative thinking. Withdrawal from smartphone use may also trigger depressive feelings, including loneliness, irritability, fatigue, and frustration, creating a vicious cycle that reinforces mental health challenges.

Decreased Academic or Work Performance:

Overuse of smartphones can negatively affect performance in work or academic settings. Constant checking of notifications or browsing social media detracts from time that should be devoted to tasks, resulting in lower productivity, decreased academic achievement, and increased stress.

Relationship Issues:

Smartphone addiction can strain personal relationships. Frequent phone use in the presence of others may cause feelings of neglect, tension, and conflict. Spending more time online than engaging in meaningful conversations with family or partners can reduce intimacy and weaken emotional bonds.

Conclusion:

Smartphone addiction can significantly impact both personal relationships and work or academic performance. Excessive use often leads to social isolation, reduced face-to-face interactions, and strained relationships with family, friends, or partners. In professional or academic contexts, constant checking of notifications and social media can distract individuals from important tasks, decreasing productivity and increasing stress.

By recognizing the signs of smartphone addiction—such as compulsive checking, anxiety when separated from the device, or neglecting real-world responsibilities—individuals and mental health providers can take proactive steps to manage usage effectively. Interventions may include setting screen-time limits, scheduling digital detox periods, and promoting alternative offline activities that encourage social engagement, physical activity, and relaxation.

With consistent effort and dedication, it is possible to reduce the negative effects of smartphone addiction, fostering a healthier balance between technology use and real-world responsibilities. Cultivating self-awareness and practicing mindful technology use can significantly improve mental well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life.

References:

https://ensorahealth.com/blog/how-do-smartphones-affect-mental-health/

Yang, Z., Huang, J., Li, Z., … The effect of smartphone addiction on the relationship between psychological stress reaction and bedtime procrastination in young adults during the COVID‑19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry, 23, 813 (2023). 

Park, J.‑Y., va Yoo, H. Smartphone addiction and its psychopathological consequences: behavioural, social and physical effects. (Kemas 19 (2), 2023

Alzhrani, A., Elsheikh, B., va boshqalar, Effect of Excessive Smartphone Usage on Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Students. IAPS Journal of Practice in Mental Health (2024)

Tashkent University of Humanitarian
Sciences 2nd-year student
Sobirova Iroda Аbdulaziz qizi
U��

Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development: Theoretical

Foundations and Practical Strategies

Abstract
The article reveals the essence and significance of innovative entrepreneurship as a key factor in economic development. It analyzes the main innovative directions for the development of entrepreneurship, including digitalization, technological, and
social innovations. Based on the mechanisms of state support for the innovative activity of small and medium-sized businesses and world experience (for example, Japan), proposals and recommendations have been developed.

Keywords: Innovative Entrepreneurship, Digital Economy, Product Innovation, Technological Innovation, Social Innovation, Venture Capital, Technoparks.

Introduction
In the transition to an innovative path of economic development, entrepreneurship, especially small business, plays a crucial role. Success in modern market conditions is not limited to effective management of existing resources but also requires the search for new ideas and their implementation in practice (innovative activity) (Source 1.1). The objective of the article is to scientifically and
theoretically substantiate the innovative directions for entrepreneurship development and to propose effective strategies for their implementation.

Essence and Types of Innovative Entrepreneurship
One of the main tasks of entrepreneurship is creativity and the pursuit of creating new products (services) (Source 1.1). Innovative entrepreneurship is the initiative that introduces new products to the market, implements new production technologies, or brings in new forms of business organization.

There are three main types of innovative entrepreneurship, aimed at different goals (Source 2.3):

1. Product Innovations: Renewal of the company’s sales potential, expansion of market share, and creation of new jobs.
2. Technology Innovations: Saving energy and raw materials, increasing labor productivity, and renewing production capacity.
3. Social Innovations: Improving the social environment of the enterprise, mobilizing employees towards a common goal, and enhancing the organization’s reputation.

Priority Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development
The main directions for the development of modern entrepreneurship include:

1. Digital Technologies and Digitalization
   In the context of the digital economy, creating a favorable business environment for the development of innovative entrepreneurship is highly relevant. This includes the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud technologies, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into business processes.
   Digitalization also enables the development of remote work forms, which serves to increase work efficiency (Sources 1.5, 1.6).
   
2. Innovative Development of Education and Human Resources Potential Modern approaches to preparing for entrepreneurial activity, especially the use of business simulation programs (training for the future), are important. This helps young people gain interest and practical skills for starting their own business. The government’s intention to integrate entrepreneurship holistically into the entire
   education system also indicates the priority of this direction (Sources 1.3, 2.5).

1. Institutional Support and Infrastructure
   The role of the state in regulating and stimulating the development of innovative entrepreneurial activity is significant. Key directions include:
    Developing the venture capital market.
    Establishing technoparks, innovation centers, and clusters (Sources 2.1, 2.4).
    Improving the system of tax incentives for entrepreneurs engaged in innovative activities (Source 1.5).
2. 
   Conclusion and Recommendations
   The innovative development of entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for ensuring the country’s economic progress. This process should primarily be aimed at the commercialization of new ideas and increasing the innovative activity of small businesses.
   
3. Practical Recommendations:
   
4. Expanding Innovative Infrastructure: It is advisable to increase the number of innovation centers in the regions and support local industrial enterprises involved in technological innovations (Source 2.6).

1. Stimulating Demand for Innovations: Ensuring a comprehensive system for the creation of new types of products and innovative technologies from the idea stage to the final consumer.
2. Implementing Foreign Experience: Deeply studying and implementing the experience of developed countries, such as Japan, in developing regional innovative entrepreneurship (technopolises, research centers) (Source 2.7).
   
   List of References (Bibliography)
3. Textbooks, Monographs, and Publications
4. Schumpeter, J. A. (2007). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle. Moscow: Eksmo. (For the theoretical foundations of innovative entrepreneurship).
5. Freeman, C. (2011). The Economics of Industrial Innovation. Moscow: Infra-M. (To cover the impact of technological innovation on the economy).
6. Porter, M. E. (2011). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing
   Industries and Competitors. Moscow: Alpina Publisher. (For analyzing competition and innovative advantage).

Scientific Articles and Journals

1. Kadirov, A. Z. (2020). The role of innovations in the development of small business and private entrepreneurship. Iqtisodiyot va innovation texnologiyalar (Economics and Innovative Technologies), (1), 240–255. (To include local experience).
2. Nabiev, N. N. (2021). Directions for the development of innovative
   entrepreneurial activity in the conditions of the digital economy. Moliya va bank ishi (Finance and Banking), (3), 78–85. (To cover the digitalization direction).

1. Saidov, M. A. (2019). Mechanisms for increasing the innovative activity of business entities. Bozor, pul va kredit (Market, Money, and Credit), (6), 55–63.
2. Statistical Compilations, Reports, and Internet Sources
3. Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-60 of January 28, 2022, “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026”. National Database of Legislation. (To substantiate state strategic directions).
4. OECD. (2021). Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2021. Paris: OECD
   Publishing. (For international experience and statistical data).
5. World Bank. (2020). Digital Economy for Development (DE4D) Project Report. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. (To analyze the impact of digital technologies).
6. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2023). Global
   Innovation Index 2023 Report. Geneva: WIPO. (To include global
   innovation ranking data).

Her Sister’s Funeral

On the day of her sister’s funeral, long after the service, Bailey sat in the rain while the workmen backfilled Emily’s grave. In deference to Bailey, the men said nothing. Only their shovels made whispering sounds as they moved the soil. Four dozen metal folding chairs had been set up to accommodate the mourners but they were now empty and slick and shiny with the rain. Bailey watched plumes of her frosty breath as she exhaled on the frigid February afternoon.

How could Emily have died, wondered Bailey for the hundreth time. She had been only seventeen, two years younger than Bailey, and an honors student in her high school, where she had been a senior. In just three months, Emily would have graduated and joined her sister at college. She had planned to study nursing, like Bailey.

But Bailey knew exactly how her sister had died. She had accepted a ride on the back of her mother’s boyfriend, Chris’s motorcycle. Emily was afraid of motorcycles and absolutely refused to ride them. Unlike Bailey, Emily was rather timid. And Chris, Bailey knew, was forever on Emily’s back to “open up” and “experience life” and all that nonsense. He was always trying to change the girls into something resembling their mother, she supposed. What was up with that?

Chris had seemed alright, a good companion to their mother and he hadn’t been a bad guy.  He had a sort of endearing goofiness. He was tall and had coarse red hair and a really ugly red beard and Clark Kent glasses. When he and Mom were going out, he’d say stuff like, “Don’t smoke crack” and “Don’t burn the house down.”

He had finally convinced her little sister to ride along with him and then, on icy streets, Chris was showing off on his bike, taking turns too fast, and the bike spilled over. Emily’s helmet wasn’t fastened properly–and that too was Chris’s fault–and it came off when she fell. She struck her head on the pavement. It was horrible.  At the funeral home they had had a closed casket.

Chris had barely a scratch, but Bailey’s precious sister and best friend, was killed instantly. Her mother was stricken, but she never blamed Chris, maintaining that it was a “call from God.”  What bullshit, thought Bailey bitterly. She knew who was responsible. Damn him. And Chris and her mom were set to get married after Emily left for school, and finally settle down, but for Bailey, things would never, ever be the same again.  

Bailey hated Chris and by extension her mother, his enabler, his apologist, his piece of ass! Bailey shook her head. She could never go back to that house. It was no longer her home.  Chris had practically taken over, insinuating himself into their lives over the past three years. He had already driven her brother Brandon from the home. Two years older than Bailey, he was living across town with his girlfriend. Bailey would catch her train for school tonight and never return. She was on a full scholarship and didn’t need anything from them. She wouldn’t even say good-bye, she vowed. The wind was stirring; Bailey felt cold and she huddled closer inside her jacket.

She dissolved in tears, her rage giving way to sorrow. She had thought she was cried out. Everyone cried, all the time. Except for Chris. She hadn’t seen him shed a single tear and worse, he had never taken responsibility for the accident; he’d never once even said he was sorry! For that she couldn’t, wouldn’t forgive him. Ever. And dismay gave way to anger once more. She looked up suddenly and there, pinioned against the darkening sky, like a statue, stood a man, tall, in a green Army jacket and with coarse red hair, a really ugly red beard: Chris.  

“Bailey?” he said softly. She turned away. He stood before her.  

“What do you want, Chris?” she spat bitterly.

“I came for you; your mom’s worried,” he replied.

“I don’t care,” she said harshly. “I hate you!” She bared her teeth.

“I know,” he said quietly. “So do I.”

She startled a little, looked up at him suspiciously.

“Ever since the accident,” he added, I’ve hated everything about myself.”

“Are you going to get your bike fixed?” she asked with a touch of cruelty.

He shook his head no. “No,” he replied, “even sad old dogs like me can learn new tricks. I just pray it’s not too late.”

“Don’t worry, Mom’s forgiven you already,” she said spitefully.

“She knows I’d never purposely do anything to hurt someone she loved. Someone I love.”

She glanced quickly up at him again. “You really do love her, don’t you, Chris?” she asked, almost desperately.  

“I love you all,” he answered. “And I loved Emily. And Bailey:  I. Am. So. Sorry!”

She peered closely at him.  There were tears swimming in his sky-blue eyes, which were easily his best feature. Bailey took a deep, shuddering breath, and said, “I believe you, Chris.”

With tears continuing to fall from his eyes, he held out his big hand. “Let’s go home, Bailey.”  They walked, hand in hand, from the cemetery just as the light rain transformed into large, beautiful flakes of snow.

Bailey and her mother Sue didn’t speak about Emily or Chris for the next week.  

Bailey finally had to know. “Mom, did you and Chris break up?”

“No,” said Sue, “but he said he needed some time.  It was hard for him to face me.”

“Do you want him back, Mom?”

“Bailey, you don’t know how much I depend on him.”

Bailey didn’t respond, but called Chris the next day.  Chris came over within the hour.

“Bailey told me you missed me, Sue,” Chris told his girlfriend.  “You have no idea how much I missed you.  I thought after what happened, you’d never want to see me again.”

“I need you more than ever, Chris, replied Sue.  “I just hope if all of us stick together we can get through this as a family.”

“Before this happened I wanted to marry you,” Chris said. “I still do, but I don’t know what Bailey thinks.  She may not want me around.”

“Chris, it’s enough for me to know that it’s what Mom wants,” Bailey told Chris when he put the question to her later.  “I think we’ll all be better together.”

Without another word, Sue called Brandon.  “What would you think of Chris as a stepfather?” she asked her son.

“Come on, mom, you know I always liked him.” 

Chris, listening on the extension, smiled with relief.

Chris and Sue got married by a justice of the peace the next day with just immediate family and Brandon’s girlfriend, who was flower girl.     

Quiet Devastation

Oppressive delusions

Begin to serenade the mind.

Backward glances– unfinished —

Blur as visions whirl with pleasure.

In a sky transfigured

Transparent and wavering

Memories of water evaporate–

Damp hands summon quiet remorse.

Alchemy mutates a life of meaning

Into splintered icons beneath the Earth.

Somewhere a telephone rings,

Whisperwood 

The forest closes like a book,
each tree a story I cannot read.
The path dissolves into moss,
soft and secretive underfoot,
while shadows stretch long fingers
to tangle my thoughts.  

The trees do not ask,
nor the rivers accuse;
they only carry me forward,
their silence a solace
as I learn to wander,
to trust the song of the unmarked trail. 

Unsettled

My reflection blinks one heartbeat late,

Caught in the death dream.

It lifts a hand-

Not mine-

Fingers dripping, spelling my name backwards

On the inside of my vision.

Leaning toward the glass that leans back hungrily,  

I try to step away; the mirror whispers:

You are the echo I invited

To keep from being alone.

Leaving the Modern World 

I am learning to sit in silence, 

To find the divine in the ordinary: 

The creak of a chair, 

tick of the clock, 

The rhythm of my own heartbeat.  

The modern world will not stop me;  

I will stop for myself.  

Carl Scharwath has appeared globally with 210+ publications selecting his writing or art. Carl has published five poetry books and four photography books. He was nominated with four The Best of the Net Awards (2022-25) and two different 2023 Pushcart Nominations for poetry and a short story.