Essay from Zaxina Tohirova

Young Central Asian woman with curly dark hair in a bun, brown eyes, and a blue suit coat and tie.

Why is failure the first step to success?

Most people grow up believing that failure is something to be ashamed of – a sign of weakness, a symbol of defeat. We avoid it, fear it, and do everything we can to prevent it. But what if the failure is not the end of your story, but the start of something greater? What is the first fall you take is actually the beginning of your rise?

Failure is not a wall that blocks your path; it is a doorway that leads you forward. Every person who has achieved something meaningful has, at some point, stumbled, struggled, and started again. The truth is simple yet powerful: failure is the first step to success.

Failure and Success work together. We often think failure and success are opposites – that one cancels the other out. But in reality, they are two sides of the same coin. Think about the most successful people in the world – entrepreneurs, athletes, artistes, or scientists. What do they all have in common? They have all faced setbacks, rejections, and failures. But instead of giving up, they learned from their experiences, adapted, and kept moving forward. Failure is not proof that you cannot succeed – it is evidence that you are trying. Every mistake, every “no”, and every setback is simply a part of the process that shapes your future achievements.

Failure teaches us valuable lessons. When you succeed, you celebrate. But when you fail, you reflect – and that is where the real growth happens. Failure teaches lesson that success never could. It reveals what does not work, highlights your weaknesses, and forces you to find new ways forward.

Thomas Edison once said after thousands of failed attempts to invent the light bulb, “I have not failed. I have just found 1,000 ways that will not work.” Those “failures” were not wasted – they were experiments that led him closer to success. Failure gives you feedback. It helps you adjust your strategy, sharpen your skills, and develop patience. The greatest advantage of failure is the wisdom it leaves behind. Each mistake carries a message – if you are willing to listen. Failure builds strengths and resilience

If life were easy, success would lose its meaning. The obstacles you face and the failures you experience are what make your victories valuable. Every time you rise after falling, you grow stronger.

Resilience – the ability to bounce back – is one of the most powerful traits a person can develop. It does not come from comfort; it comes from challenge. When you fail and keep going, you prove to yourself that you can endure disappointment and still move forward. Just like muscles strengthen through resistance, your character strengthens your adversity. With each setback, you learn persistence, self-discipline and courage – the very qualities needed for lasting success.

Failure helps you find the right path. Not every failure means you are unworthy – sometimes it simply means you are going in the wrong direction. Failure is often a signal, a form of guidance. It pushes you to rethink your goals and adjust your course.

Take Walt Disney, for example. Early in his career, he was fired from a newspaper job because he “lacked imagination.” That same man went on to create one of the most imaginative companies in the world. His early failure did not end his dream – it redirected it.

Failure often helps you discover what truly matters to you. When something does not work out, you are forced to ask yourself, “Is this really what I want?” That self-reflection can lead to a clearer vision and a stronger sense of purpose. Courage comes from daring to fail. It takes courage to face failure with an open heart. Many people never achieve their dreams simply because they are afraid to fail. But courage is not the absence of fear – it is the decision to keep moving despite it.

When you dare to fail, you give yourself permission to grow. You stop waiting for perfect conditions and start learning through experience. You realize that mistakes do not define you – they refine you.

Those who succeed the most are not the ones who never fall; they are the ones who refuses to stay down. Every great inventor, artist, and leader has failed more times than they have succeeded. But each failure taught them something that made the next attempt stronger.

Failure is temporary, but its lessons last forever.

Failure might feel final, but it is never permanent. The pain or disappointment you feel today will fade – but the lessons you learn will stay with you for life. Success often appears right after your hardest fall. The problem is, most people give up one attempt too early. They stop just before the breakthrough. But those who keep trying, who view failure as temporary, are the ones who eventually achieve greatness.

Failure teaches resilience, patience and humility – all qualities that prepare you for success when it finally arrives. It shapes you into a stronger, wiser version of yourself.

Turning failure into fuel Once you stop fearing failure, you can start using it as fuel. Every “no” becomes motivation. Every setback becomes an opportunity to improve. Instead of asking “Why did this happen to me?” ask, “What can I learn from that?”

People like Albert Einstein, and J.K. Rowling all faced rejection and failure before achieving success. What set them apart was not luck – it was persistence. They kept moving forward, turning failure into momentum. The truth is failure is not your enemy. It’s your greatest ally, if you let it be. It sharpens your focus, strengthens your will, and shows you how much you truly care about your dream.

Conclusion: Failure is the Foundation of Success

Failure is not something to hide from; it’s something to embrace. It’s the price we pay for growth, for knowledge, for mastery. Every successful story is built on moments of defeat that were transformed into lessons.

So do not let failure to stop you – let it shape you. Every time you fall and rise again, you become wiser, stronger, and closer to your goal. Remember, the first step to success isn’t a perfect start — it’s the courage to begin, fail, and begin again.

Because in the end, success is not about never falling; it’s about always getting back up. And that journey – the one that starts with failure – is where real success begins.

Zaxina Tohirova is 12 years old, born in Kashkadarya, Uzbekistan. She is 7th grade student at Karshi Presidential School. She is passionate about drawing pictures, writing/reading articles and reading books. In her spare time, she usually searches some interesting things, watches action movies and goes for a walk. She spends her weekends with her family. She started writing articles recently and found it very interesting. She is going to write more articles in the future.

Poetry from Imran Khan

Middle aged South Asian man with short dark hair, beard, and mustache and a gray, black, white and red sweater standing in a field of grass at dawn or dusk.

New oath 

New year anew 

calling again, 

Forgetting past memories 

Be careful now. 

As wrong as before 

Clean it up, 

First for the country 

go ahead. 

In a new day of new light 

Take a new oath, 

No matter how many obstacles come 

No one will be misled. 

Name: Imran Khan Raj 

Writer And Journalist.

Alumni, B.B.S., Padma Government College, 

Dohar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

Imran Khan Raj was born on 12th October to a noble Muslim family in Dohar Upazila of Dhaka District In Bangladesh. He Passed HSC from Government Padma College of Dohar Upozila and completed graduation from the same college. Later, he enrolled in Masters in Management Department at Sheikh Borhanuddin Post Graduate College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

So far, many stories, rhymes, poems written by him have been published in various newspapers and magazines. His favorite hobby is writing.

His published collective poetry books are – 71’s Raktasnat Bangla, Padma, Konkhane Rakhib Pranaam, Shrestha Bickeler Kavita, Bhasha Shahid, Diganter Neelima, Susheel Kavyasambahar, Humanity’s Demand and his published collective story book is – Nagar Phul.

The e-books published by Imran Khan Raj are destination unknown, motivation to move forward, illuminated rhymes. More of his books are on the way.

Poetry and art from Jacques Fleury

Synchronized Chaos contributor Jacques Fleury, a young Black man in a black suit and red tie and dark sunglasses, on a golden Christmas ornament with red and green decor, on a Christmas tree.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

— From regular Synchronized Chaos contributing poet and author Jacques Fleury

              May your New Year be full of synchronistic

      songs of unwavering wonder…

         as you continue on your often Herculean paths to 

        your happily ever after…

Through all you’ve been 

       and yet not seen

Let new beginnings be your scene

Dew drops make all come anew

           Sun clouds will surely see you through

fantasies fanning mermaids and their memes

Open hearts can make wishes drive-thru

Cheers to Hope Horning in on Pipe Dreams 

                               and a Happy New Year to YOU!

Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian-American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and literary arts student through Harvard University. His latest publication “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”  and other titles are available at all Boston Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, University of Wyoming, Askews and Holts Library Services in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, Amazon etc…  He has been published in publications such as Spirit of Change Magazine, Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World and Cooch Behar anthologies out of India, Poets Reading the News, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide, Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene among others…Visit him at:  http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury.

Silhouetted figure leaping off into the unknown with hand and leg raised. Bushes and tree in the foreground, mountains ahead. Book is green and yellow with black text and title.
Jacques Fleury’s book You Are Enough: The Journey Towards Understanding Your Authentic Self

Essay from Axmadqulova Sapuraxon

Young Central Asian woman with straight dark hair in a bun, small earrings, and a white ruffled blouse with black trim, outside near a tree.

INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE APPROACHES TO FORMING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

ANNOTATION. This article examines the formation of environmental education in preschool-aged children from both scientific-theoretical and practical perspectives. Research emphasizes that the foundation of environmental awareness is laid during the ages of 3–7. In particular, American educator and scientist J. Davis notes that direct interaction with nature in childhood strongly influences a child’s future ecological behavior. According to UNESCO experts, environmental education in preschool settings is effective only when conducted through play, observation, and hands-on activities. The article highlights creative methods, project-based activities, STEAM approaches, and the importance of cooperation between families and educational institutions in organizing environmental education. The research results show that ecological education fosters conscious, careful, and responsible attitudes toward nature in children and helps cultivate love for the environment.

KEYWORDS. Environmental awareness, preschool education, ecological education, creative methods, project-based activities, STEAM approach, nature conservation, observation.

INTRODUCTION. Today, environmental problems have a direct impact on human life at a global scale. Environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and loss of biodiversity pose significant challenges to society. Addressing these issues is closely linked to changing humans’ attitudes toward nature. In this context, the preschool education system represents the initial and most critical stage of ecological education. During this period, children form their first understanding, emotional responses, and simple ecological behaviors regarding nature. If ecological education is organized systematically and correctly at this stage, it increases the potential to raise conscious and responsible individuals in the future. This article examines innovative and creative ways to develop environmental awareness in preschool education and analyzes their practical significance.

1. Features of Environmental Awareness Formation in Preschool Children.

Preschool children perceive the environment primarily through sensory experiences and direct interaction. They understand natural phenomena by seeing, hearing, touching, and observing. Therefore, in ecological education, real observation and practical activities should take precedence over abstract concepts.

During this age, environmental awareness develops in the following areas:

Recognizing and naming natural objects;

Observing changes in nature;

Understanding cause-and-effect relationships;

Demonstrating careful and respectful attitudes toward nature.

The process of forming environmental awareness in children is effective only if conducted consistently and continuously. Random or episodic activities cannot develop stable ecological perspectives.

2. Developing Observational Skills through the “Nature Explorers” Project.

Project-based activities are one of the most effective pedagogical approaches for preschool children. The “Nature Explorers” project engages children as active participants, developing their observation and independent thinking skills.

Within this project, children:

Observe the growth of plants;

Record weather changes;

Compare the conditions of water and soil;

Learn to draw simple conclusions.

Such activities increase children’s interest in nature and sense of responsibility. Most importantly, children acquire ecological knowledge through personal experience rather than as pre-packaged information.

3. The Role of Play Technologies in Environmental Education.

Play is the leading form of activity for preschool-aged children. Ecologically themed games help children consciously adopt simple rules for protecting nature.

For example:

Games focused on waste sorting;

Role-playing games about water conservation;

Dramatic games about caring for animals.

During play, children learn to follow ecological rules naturally rather than as a compulsory requirement.

4. Environmental Education through STEAM Approaches.

The STEAM approach allows ecological education to be organized through interdisciplinary integration. This approach enables children to observe ecological phenomena, conduct experiments, and analyze results.

Examples include:

Planting seeds and measuring growth rates;

Observing the evaporation process of water;

Creating simple ecological models.

The STEAM approach develops not only ecological knowledge but also logical thinking and problem-solving skills in children.

5. Cooperation between Families and Preschool Institutions.

The effectiveness of environmental education largely depends on collaboration between families and educational institutions. If ecological education is not continued at home, its impact is short-lived.

Cooperation with parents can include:

Family ecological campaigns;

Home exercises on waste separation;

Discussions on nature conservation.

Such collaboration helps children integrate ecological behavior into daily habits.

CONCLUSION. In conclusion, forming environmental awareness in preschool education is a complex but extremely important process. To organize it effectively, innovative and creative approaches must be applied, children’s age-specific characteristics considered, and collaboration with families established. Ecological education fosters love, responsibility, and conscious attitudes toward nature in children, contributing to the sustainable development of future society.

REFERENCES.

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Preschool Education.”

“First Step” State Educational Program.

UNESCO. Early Childhood Education for Sustainable Development, 2021–2024.

Davis, J. Young Children and the Environment, 2020–2023.

STEAM Education in Early Childhood. International Journal of Early Learning, 2021.

Axmadqulova Sapuraxon was born in the Marxamat District of the Republic of Uzbekistan. She is a student at the Andijan Branch of Kokand State University, Faculty of Pedagogy, specializing in Preschool Education. She has participated in international competitions. She is a recipient of the “Future Scientist” and “People’s Ambassador” chest badges awarded by the Association of Young Scientists. Her creative works are indexed on Google, and she is the author of numerous articles.

Poem by Kalipada Ghosh

LOVE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Oh, what a joy!

What an ecstatic joy!

Christmas is knocking at the door with splendor and delight,

mirth and merriment.

Men, women and children are in Christmas spirit

The church bell ringing

Cakes are to be served…All are in high spirits

Santa Claus visits every house and fills children’s stockings with Christmas presents.

Oh, the good shepherd Jesus Christ!

The light of the world

Redeeming mankind With love and kindness.

Thou art kind and merciful

Thou art the Saviour of mankind

Thou art the messenger of Love and peace

Forgiveness is your soul’s cry.”

Love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Be kind and merciful to everyone.

Thou art the Light and Love

Embodiment of Love and Truth

Faith and Hope to be restored

Love will conquer the world

Love is worship and it’ll bring peace to humanity.

Synchronized Chaos Mid-December 2025: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Stylized dreamlike painting of a white winged female fairy touching the brown hair of a naked person. Their back is to us and they're sitting at a dark pond on a misty day. Rocks and tree branches are in the water.
Image c/o Dawn Hudson

First, an announcement: published poet and contributor Tao Yucheng would like to host and judge 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.

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

Good luck, if you choose to enter!

Stylized image of a group of red and blonde and brown haired children standing in a forest reading to an elephant and giraffe.
Image c/o Circe Denyer

Now, for this month’s issue: The Stories We Tell Ourselves. We explore communication, relationships, myth, history, imagination – different ways of making meaning from life.

Dildora Abdullayeva considers the study of phrases as a part of human language and how phrases have changed over the years. Toychiyeva Madinaxon points out how young people are changing global language through Internet slang. Habibullayeva Lalyokhon Zarifjon kizi explores cultural and linguistic features of phrases in the Uzbek language. Rashidova Shohshanam speaks to the rapid changes in the Uzbek language and the challenges and opportunities that poses for educators. Noah Berlatsky reflects with humor on how our brains’ memory for language might shrink with modernity.

Dildora Qobilova suggests common student grammatical errors and ways to correct them in the classroom. Yarmamatova Sevinch Elyor qizi suggests ways to enhance young children’s speech fluency. Suyarova Gulsanam explicates finer points of Uzbek grammar for audiences speaking all languages. Abulqosimova Bahora highlights the intricacies of the phonetic system of the Uzbek language. Muqaddas Islomova highlights the role of multimedia digital technologies in helping language learners enhance their speech skills. Shamsiddinova Maftuna Hamidjon qizi gives an overview of academic studies into the structure and functions of different parts of speech. Adashaliyeva Durdona Akramjon qizi highlights the central role of linguistics in reinforcing the values of a socialist society. Rukhshona Kamolova Turayeva highlights the importance of studying the history and role of the English language to understanding effective communication. Sharifov Sirojiddin Shavkatovich underscores the critical importance of basic math literacy to social functioning. Satimboyeva Risolet outlines educational benefits of AI technologies in education.

Kucharov Bakhodir outlines principles of written and spoken professional communication. Dilnoza Bekmurodovna Navruzbekovna urges people to carefully consider what career would be right for them, and for schools to facilitate that deliberation. Aslidinova O’giloy highlights the potential of a digital economy and the need to prepare students for that world. Sarvar Eshpulatov also highlights the importance of digital literacy for success in today’s society. Niyozova Shakhnoza Farhod qizi elucidates the potential of digital technologies in education. Iroda Sobirova offers suggestions for fostering entrepreneurship in Central Asia and elsewhere. Choliyev Nurbek Rözimbek ogli highlights the importance of local banks in trusting in the creditworthiness of local entrepreneurs. Eshmurodova Sevinch Bahrom qizi outlines steps credit card bureaus can take to ensure consumer security. Urinova Robiyabonu discusses the use of psychology in professional management. Qarshiboyeva Mavluda Azizbek qizi analyzes the role of international assessment exams in world education. Abduvaliyeva Jasmina Jahongir qizi outlines some upsides and downsides of economic and cultural globalization.

Satimboyeva Rizolat discusses how to develop a social culture of reading and literary appreciation that goes beyond the classroom. Aziza Xasanova highlights the joy and creativity and history of the Uzbek mother tongue. Qudratova Nozima Bahromovna outlines the innovative narrative storytelling techniques of Uzbek author Tog’ay Murod.

Pink and gray stylized image of crow birds, an old treasure chest and vase, an analog clock and lamp and globe.
Image c/o Circe Denyer

Lakshmi Kant Mukul shares some of a people’s history of India through the lens of one architectural landmark, the Qutub Minar. Alan Catlin renders the historical, somnolent, stuck atmosphere of the American Rust Belt into poetry. Xudoyberdiyeva Mohiniso delves into the Islamic Turkish Kara-Khanid state, which reached its height in the 700s. Duane Vorhees traces a variety of Jewish mystical influences on Sigmund Freud. Chimezie Ihekuna relates how the modern Nigerian state came together as a result of colonial powers and bears little relation to cultural realities, causing a legacy of trouble. Jacques Fleury reviews Boston Lyric Stage’s production of a mashup of Sherlock Holmes and A Christmas Carol, providing two different lenses through which to interpret Victorian England. Qulliyeva Feruza Qosimova highlights the role of the Uzbek constitution in guiding contemporary society.

Mahbub Alam reflects with nostalgia on his high school days: friends, teachers, the school environment. Mesfakus Salahin revels in the wonder of childhood and memory. Sobirjonova Rayhona expresses gratitude to a dedicated teacher.

Olga Levadnaya speaks to the ‘halo effect’ of memory, where we remember the best parts of what happened to us. Dr. Jernail S. Anand considers his memories to be friends. Taghrid Bou Merhi holds onto the hazy and charming days of childhood and dreams. Mandy Diamantou Pistikou reminds us of the innocence and joyful curiosity of early childhood. Meanwhile, Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal speaks to the feelings, thoughts, and sensations of middle age.

Taro Hokkyo brings to life a moment of deep soul recognition among two different people. Turkan Ergor wonders at the vast diversity of people’s life experiences, given our common humanity. Dr. Kang Byeong-Cheol reminds us of the ingredients of love: wisdom, compassion, and humility. Mrinal Kanti Ghosh reflects on a love that captures his soul and disrupts his consciousness.

Mohan Maharana also writes of compassion, speaking of his work as a healer and social worker coming alongside people living with mental illness. Juana Del Carmen Soria urges people to make wise and caring choices. Asmonur Rajabboyeva, in a piece translated into English by Shuxratova Nilufar, draws on a chamomile flower as a symbol for innocence and compassion. Eva Petropoulou Lianou puts out an urgent call for global peace. Dianne Reeves Angel looks beyond the commercialism of Christmas to seek out spiritual gifts of peace and love and hope. Brajesh Kumar Gupta affirms that goodness is so much stronger than evil. Zuhra Jumanazarova highlights the critical role of the Uzbek constitution in the country’s governance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Eva Petropoulou Lianou laments the violence and selfishness of humanity, in poetry translated into Mandarin by Yongbo Ma. Pat Doyne mocks corruption in the United States’ federal government. Bill Tope argues against gambling from a social justice perspective. Yongbo Ma also translates a poem from Ahmed Farooq Baidoon on the weary quest of all too many people for justice. Brendan Dawson sketches some of society’s outsiders – immigrants and poets – and reflects on how society has become less welcoming.

Stylized image of a man with a red head in a black coat and suit with various white, black, red, and brown and blue posters on a wall behind him.
Image c/o Omar Sahel

Sayani Mukherjee wishes an old lover well with their new love during the holidays, while still acknowledging her sorrow. Abdulhafiz Iduoze speaks to the cycle of life and death in her imagistic poem. Kemal Berk yearns for a lost loved one through verse. Aisha Al-Maharabi evokes the pain of loss and longing in love. Graciela Noemi Villaverde mourns the loss of her husband of many years through poetry. Abigail George renders cautious and loving care for her father with cancer into thoughtful and slow poetry. Farzaneh Dorri pays tribute to a departed human rights lawyer.

Mirta Liliana Ramirez grieves the loss of someone who suffered much and had a difficult life. Sumaiyya Alessmael mourns the passing of her immortal, fanciful beloved. Milana Momcilovic evokes centuries of timeless longing for a lost love. Salimeh Mousavi probes probes a family’s grief to create a complex and layered character sketch and to mourn for parts of individual personhood severed by culture.

Shikdar Mohammed Kibriah speaks to the kind of immortality we find in nature, where one kind of creature lives because of the existence of another. Brian Barbeito relates a late autumn nature walk that left him feeling mystical and thinking of angels and a winter walk with friendly coyotes. Dr. Jernail Singh reminds proud humans of nature’s limits, checks, and balances. Toraqulova Pokiza Sanjarovna highlights the importance of living and working sustainability with nature during climate change. Avazbekova Rayyonakhon outlines some ways young people can work with “nature” close to us, our own bodies, and enhance immunity and stay healthier. Mahmmadjonov Saidjahon Shokirjon ogli and Mirzamansurova Robiya Ahmadjon qizi discuss clinical criteria elucidating when patients need heart valve transplants. Numonova Shohsanam Bahodirjon qizi presents an overview of the causes and effects of genetic mutation. Sejuty Rahman draws on an oyster fashioning an irritating grain of sand into a pearl as part of an extended natural metaphor for love.

Kavi Nielsen poetically expresses a sense of unity and connection with nature and their loved one. Shawn Schooley celebrates the sensual attraction he feels for his lover. Jamal Garougar speaks to the submergence of egos and unity with a broader whole inherent in love.

Petros Kyriakou Veloudas depicts love, grief, and memory feeding into the artistic process. Ana Elisa Medina encourages someone close to her to sing and share his heart’s journey. Kandy Fontaine reflects on how Motorhead frontman Lemmy inspired her artistically and personally.

Pink and purple line drawing of a woman's face with big eyelashes and two other characters, comic book style guy and girl, near her.
Image c/o Victoria Borodinova

Dianne Reeves Angel celebrates the joy of intentional female connection and friendship over many years. Priyanka Neogi reminds women and girls to remember their insight and strength. Amirah al-Wassif’s surreal poetry speaks to womanhood and our relationship with our bodies and minds.

J.J. Campbell shrugs and finds himself in a place of dull resignation, even at the holiday season, and renders his feelings into poems. Alan Hardy speaks to the vulnerability of being alone, whether in the wild or in his own mind, and how he protects himself by letting go of regret. Santiago Burdon depicts some misadventures along the road of guiding an emerging writer towards greater originality.

Richard LeDue captures a feeling common to many creators: seasons of wandering through a morass of scanty inspiration. Mykyta Ryzhykh expresses deep inner emotional pain through vivid imagery. Sara Hunt-Flores evokes the limits of the poetic muse for dealing with extreme emotions. Anna Keiko embarks on a tender journey of self-discovery.

Patrick Sweeney captures moments of revealing character development through one-line monostitch poetry. Christina Chin and Jerome Berglund depict small moments when people are captivated by small pleasures. Zebo Zukhriddinova celebrates the fun and the spontaneous organization of a day students spent folding and flying paper airplanes. Christina Chin depicts brief moments of peace and contemplation at Thanksgiving. Taylor Dibbert highlights the culinary creativity evinced by Thanksgiving meals. Asmonur Rajabboyeva’s short story, translated from Uzbek to English by Shuxratova Nilufar, details an imaginative and curious young girl’s travel to Mars.

Mark Young expresses fascination with arbitrary liminality, how we attempt to classify the world. Duane Vorhees reflects on natural and human moments of energy and transition, such as thunderstorms, from a comfortable distance that lets him think and react with wonder.

We hope this issue brings wonder, new thoughts, and empathy to your life.

Poetry from Brian Michael Barbeito

Closeup of a wilted brown plant in the fall with grass and trees in the background.

Sometimes the Clouds and Sometimes the Angels (prose poem and picture)

at moments though it was generally overcast, the light of the sun so determinately arrived that it felt like an angel or group of angels giving a sign and blessing. I had a spinning ring silver w/several saints and divine figures and I touched it. I remembered other moments similar such as when a praying mantis out of nowhere flew across and landed beside me, watching me. it was the wings of the creature that made it appear like a fairy or angel or whatever the case, something more metaphysical than of this world. and then as life goes in cities and in rural and pastoral settings w/many blessings, the clouds resumed and even some rain and anxious strange wind had their turn and show of ruefulness and moving melancholy. but one had to take all moods of the capricious earth and learn from them by observing and remembering. like a soul that would scry the sky or an old-time sagacious psychic who had gifts of the spirit. so, step and step and step again, by the field and under late autumnal tree canopy beige and yellow and brown then…yes step again, to become a nature poet.