Poetry from Duane Vorhees

GOSPEL OF SPRING

bears unhibernate

–christless– corpses of forest

resurrect anew

ETERNITY TREES

Enlightened

under a tree

he smiles his frown

at the world that is

as it dissipates

Tortured

on his tree

he frowns his smile

for a world to come

as it resurrects

FARM GALAXY FORMATION

Snowflakes star my glass

and constellation the fields

The moon is broken

MASA’S MASSES

This is how we all exist:

bloody fist or bleeding wrist.

If not: armed with David’s sling,

then: arms enslaved in slings.

Hawk or auk. Ram or lamb;

Pawns upon earth

or — its king

:this is how we all exist

CLIPED, BUT NOT CLIPPED AGAIN

The rose that winds:

Life is like four aces in a gambler’s hand,

the last oasis in a scrambled land.

Any dawn transforms a man (Amen)

from prime to corpse to youth again.

And all the women were virgins once

despite the destinies of their cunts.

We keep safecrackers in the keep

for the safekeeping of the crack ones (us),

while crack sellers keep safe

in the cracks of our cellars

because Judas hanged and gutted Jesus….

The goose is in the sage / the sage is in the goose.

But the hand that rocks the cradle cradles the rock:

Judas, hanged and gutted — Jesus!

The sly quicksilver alters to quicksand

And then there are no aces and a scrambled hand,

a lost oasis in a gambler’s land,

and the winds that rose.

CLEAVED AND HEWN, BOLTED, RAVELED, TRIMMED AND

WEATHERED, DUSTED, AND CLEAVED YET AGAIN

Essay from Halilova Ruxshona Abdufattohovna

Young Central Asian woman with long straight dark hair in a ponytail, a light colored collared shirt, seated in a room with red light fixtures dangling from the ceiling.

A SCHOLAR WHO LEFT A MARK IN MY FIELD (AL-FARABI)

Abstract: This article highlights the scientific legacy of Abu Nasr al-Farabi, a great thinker of the Eastern Renaissance, and his influence on the development of modern fields. The scholar’s ideas on logic, philosophy, education, and society are analyzed, with special emphasis on his role in the processes of speech, thinking, and scientific analysis. The article demonstrates the relevance of al-Farabi’s views to today’s scientific and practical activities and emphasizes that his legacy is an important source in the formation and development of my field.

Key words: Scholar, scientific heritage, thought, education, speech culture, Eastern Renaissance, logic.

The development of every field is closely connected with the research, scientific ideas, and heritage of great scholars who lived and created in their time. One of the scholars who had the greatest influence on my field is Abu Nasr al-Farabi, who was honored with the high title “Muallim as-Sani” — the “Second Teacher” of the East. Al-Farabi’s ideas about human thinking, science, and the development of society have remained relevant not only in his own time but also today.

In 941, the scholar began living in poverty in Damascus. Despite this, he continued to pursue knowledge and conducted research in philosophy and other sciences. He gained the respect and patronage of the ruler of Aleppo, Sayf al-Dawla Hamdanid (reigned 943–967), who was known as a supporter of scholars. Although the ruler invited al-Farabi to his palace, he preferred to live a free and independent life. Nevertheless, his life in Aleppo was productive, and he wrote many of his works there. Between 949–950, al-Farabi lived in Egypt and later returned to Damascus, where he spent the last years of his life. He was buried in the Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus. According to available sources, al-Farabi wrote more than 160 works, although many of them have not survived. Even the existing treatises prove his greatness as a scholar.

Al-Farabi created during the early Middle Ages, in the period of the Eastern Renaissance, which was characterized by the growth of productive forces, the development of crafts, irrigation systems, the construction of new cities, and the flourishing of cultural and spiritual life. Trade expanded in the 9th–10th centuries, especially with India, China, Byzantium, and African countries. Although the period was not free from conflicts, al-Farabi’s philosophical views reflected both the achievements and the contradictions of his time.

One of his greatest contributions to science was interpreting and enriching the works of Greek philosophers with new ideas. Al-Farabi wrote commentaries on Aristotle and was known as a promoter and continuer of his natural philosophical ideas. He also commented on the works of Plato, Alexander of Aphrodisias, Euclid, Ptolemy, and Porphyry. Moreover, he was familiar with the works of Hippocrates, Epicurus, Anaxagoras, Diogenes, Chrysippus, Aristippus, Socrates, and Zeno, and had a deep understanding of Epicurean, Stoic, Pythagorean, and Cynic schools.

Al-Farabi developed a comprehensive classification of sciences, considered perfect in the Middle Ages. In his treatises “On the Origin of the Sciences” and “On the Classification of the Sciences,” he described nearly thirty fields of knowledge known in his time. One of his important ideas is his doctrine of the universal intellect and universal soul, which he considered eternal. According to him, the human soul and intellect do not disappear after death but unite with the universal intellect and soul. In this teaching, there are profound ideas about the eternity of the world, the immortality of human essence, and the continuity of human knowledge and spiritual culture. Al-Farabi also substantiated the rational method of knowledge and emphasized observation, debate, sensory perception, and scientific reasoning.

One of the qualities that made al-Farabi great was his boundless love for knowledge and his belief that knowledge is the main criterion of life. He created major works in logic, philosophy, music, mathematics, linguistics, and political science. His logical ideas later had a strong influence on European science and helped deepen the understanding of Aristotle’s works.

Why do we need al-Farabi?

First, because he established the fundamental principles of science in fields such as logic, philosophy, politics, music, pedagogy, and psychology. Much of modern scientific thinking is based on his ideas.

Second, because he presented ideas that lead humans toward perfection. His work “The Virtuous City” discusses the ideal society and the perfect human being, and its ideas about education, morality, and governance remain important today.

Third, because he unified knowledge by emphasizing the interconnection of all sciences, which forms the basis of modern interdisciplinary studies.

Fourth, because he teaches us how to think — to analyze logically, rely on evidence, and study knowledge systematically, which is essential for success in any field.

Fifth, because his legacy still addresses modern problems such as justice, governance, morality, and education, proving that his ideas remain timeless.

In my field — language, literature, and scientific analysis — al-Farabi’s greatest contribution is his scientific explanation of the relationship between thought and speech. Through logical categories such as concept, judgment, and conclusion, he developed a methodology for correctly understanding and interpreting texts. Today, concepts such as text analysis, argumentation, and logical speech are rooted in al-Farabi’s works. Furthermore, his ideas about society in “The Virtuous City” correspond to many aspects of modern democratic principles, and his views on education continue to influence modern pedagogy.

The scholar’s legacy strengthens my love for knowledge, deepens my thinking, and reminds me that every word and every idea must have a logical foundation. Al-Farabi teaches the eternity of knowledge and the limitless nature of human thought. Therefore, I consider it an honor to follow his path in my field and draw inspiration from his scientific heritage.

References:

1.National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan, Vol. 1, “Farabi,” Tashkent, 2000, p. 412.

2.Jumaboyev, Y. From the History of the Development of Philosophical and Ethical Thought in Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 1997, p. 187.

3.Al-Farabi, The Virtuous City, Tashkent: Yangi Asr Avlodi, 2010, p. 164.

4.Yuldashev, M. Al-Farabi’s Philosophy and the Eastern Renaissance, Tashkent, 2005, p.

214.

Halilova Ruxshona Abdufattohovna was born on October 16, 2007, in Sariosiyo district of Surkhandarya region. She is currently a first-year student at the Denov Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy, Faculty of Philology, majoring in Uzbek Language and Literature. She holds a National Certificate in her native language. In addition, she has obtained more than 100 international and local certificates. She is a member of the Argentine “Science and Literature Writers” Association and has a membership certificate. Her articles are indexed on Google, and her creative works have been included in many anthologies. She has also participated in several prestigious competitions.

Essay from G`afforova Hadichaxon Abduhamid qizi 

Young Central Asian woman with long dark straight hair, a black vest over a white top, standing at a lectern.

GLOBAL AIR POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACTS ON HUMAN LIFE

Student of English philology faculty of Uzbekistan State World Language University 

E-mail: gafforovaxadicha5@gmail.com 

Annotation

One of the most pressing issues worldwide is severe air pollution. This article discusses the significant changes occurring in the global climate and examines how such environmental problems negatively affect human life. Furthermore, several factors contributing to the intensification of air pollution are analyzed, and potential solutions to mitigate its adverse effects are proposed.

Keywords:

Pollution, transportation, cosmic dust, Tashkent

Introduction:

The term atmosphere is derived from Greek, where atm means “vapor” and sphaira means “envelope.” The atmosphere is the Earth’s primary protective layer, shielding humanity from harmful cosmic particles and radiation. Without this protective layer, the Earth would be irreversibly damaged. Consequently, air pollution, as one of the most critical global issues, demands collective attention and action.

Air pollution is among the most urgent problems worldwide, and it arises from multiple sources. First, there is the increasing dependence on personal transportation. For instance, in most developed countries, virtually every household owns at least one personal vehicle. As of October 2025, the world population exceeded 8.2 billion, currently standing at approximately 8,218,034,614. Nearly half of this population relies on automobiles, contributing significantly to atmospheric contamination.

The heavy traffic congestion commonly observed in urban areas exacerbates this issue, as idling engines emit harmful gases that deteriorate air quality. 

Second, the expansion of industrial activities, particularly the establishment of factories and plants, contributes substantially to air pollution. Industries employ various materials that, when processed through melting, refining, or hardening, release hazardous gases into the atmosphere. For example, emissions from large industrial complexes such as the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (OKMK) release sulfur dioxide(SO₂)and other heavy metals, seriously impairing local air quality. 

Another critical factor in air pollution is human negligence. Despite the global significance of this ecological issue, the proliferation of factories, excessive use of vehicles, and improper waste management persist largely due to public indifference. Many individuals perceive environmental preservation as unrelated to their personal actions, often thinking, “What difference can one person make?” Such indifference accelerates environmental degradation. Even simple acts, like discarding plastic bottles or papers on the street, contribute to pollution, as these materials take years to decompose. Similarly, routine vehicle inspections to reduce emissions are frequently neglected. It is essential to recognize that small, conscientious actions—reducing waste, planting trees, and maintaining cleanliness—can collectively generate substantial positive impacts. 

Proposed Solutions: 

Several strategies can mitigate the problem of air pollution. Firstly, promoting the rational use of transportation is crucial. Excessive reliance on personal vehicles emits harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, reducing the oxygen content in the air and posing health risks. Encouraging public transportation, including buses, subways, and trams, along with the expansion of cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways, can significantly reduce vehicular emissions. Additionally, the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles offers a practical solution to lower atmospheric contamination.

Secondly, enforcing strict environmental regulations in industrial sectors is vital. While industrial growth is critical for economic development, emissions from factories severely harm the environment. Implementing advanced filtration systems, purification devices, and waste reduction technologies in factories can prevent the rapid dispersion of harmful substances. Moreover, industries can utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or bioenergy, to minimize their environmental footprint. Companies should also actively participate in ecological initiatives, including afforestation and the creation of greenspaces, to compensate for environmental damage. 

Thirdly, raising public environmental awareness is essential. People often consider environmental protection the sole responsibility of governments or ecological organizations, overlooking their personal duty to safeguard nature. Therefore, integrating environmental education into school and university curricula, promoting conservation through media and social networks, and organizing community activities such as tree planting and waste segregation can foster ecological responsibility. Trees, as natural “living filters,”absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality while providing aesthetic and psychological benefits. Establishing urban green spaces, parks, and recreational areas further enhances air circulation and environmental well-being. Encouraging each individual to plant at least one tree per year can create a sustainable ecological foundation for future generations. 

Conclusion: 

Air pollution is not merely an ecological concern; it is closely linked to human health, societal well-being, and the fate of future generations. Polluted air compromises the quality of oxygen we breathe, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, allergies, and other health problems. Scientific evidence indicates that the primary cause of global air pollution is human activity, exacerbated by ecological indifference.

Therefore, every individual’s participation is crucial in improving air quality. Society must collectively promote responsible transportation habits, enforce strict industrial environmental standards, and cultivate environmental awareness through education and community engagement. Simple measures—such as tree planting, maintaining cleanliness, and segregating waste—can yield significant results. 

Nature is not a temporary dwelling; it is our only home, the foundation of our existence and life. We derive air, water, food, and peace from it. Hence, protecting, preserving, and respecting nature is our duty. By treating the environment with care today, we ensure that it will continue to sustain and bless us in the future. Conversely, neglect and indifference threaten not only our lives but also the well-being of future generations.

G’afforova Hadichaxon was born on November 1, 2007, in Beshariq district, Fergana region. She is currently a first-year student at the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages.

Poetry from Alexa Grospe

Clean

Am I still clean?

I take dust 

off of my hair,

pluck the hair from my limbs,

wash the limbs

under ice cold water to tighten my pores-

Am I 

messy?

I am tuned to my 

alarm clock in the morning,

drawn to the smell of 

glass cleaner I cleared my mirror with-

Am I not 

pristine?

I scrub my face

the moment I wake,

throw my dirty shirts across the room,

empty the coffee stains off of

every white mug I own-

Am I too 

addicted?

I assure myself

that I am spotless

and bright

when in reality

I own bags under my eyes

and hanging from my hands,

Rocks on my back

and splinters in my shoes-

Am I not immaculate enough 

for your praise?

I wonder 

as I wake and sleep in drowning circles-

why are my bones not

polished enough inside-

You won’t have to see them,

but you want them to be

visible under my skin-

Why

Why am I blemished 

and bruised-

Am I still acceptable 

for your love?

Poetry from Lan Xin

Young East Asian woman with a crown of multicolored roses in her hair and a long filmy purple dress holding a purple rose.

Time as Our Witness

Poem by Lan Xin (Lanxin Samei)

Three thousand years ago

You were the Lord of the Universe—the King of Kings

Known to gods and mortals alike, I was your cherished Queen

Then came the great catastrophe of the Three Realms

Tearing us apart abruptly, leaving us to grieve the love we lost

Since then, time has carried me

Across the Ten Directions and Dharmadhatus

Through six cycles of reincarnation

Reborn as a human, I walked the path of cultivation for nine lifetimes

Endured all the tribulations of the mortal world, just to meet you again

After three thousand years of wandering

I searched for you a thousand times among the crowds

And finally, today, three thousand years later

We reunite beneath the magnolia tree

Its dancing shadows whisper our ancient vows

In the moment our eyes meet

We see reflections of ourselves from three thousand years ago

And the endless search through lifetimes unfolds before us

Above the mortal world, you remain the supreme King of Kings;

Within the mortal world, you are also the finest man on earth.

Heaven and earth unite, with white cranes as their matchmakers

Sun and moon unite, with Venus as their matchmaker

Mountains and rivers unite, with gold as their matchmaker

Chestnut and pine trees unite, with bees as their matchmaker

Turquoise and black jade unite, with golden threads as their matchmaker

When you and I unite once more, who shall be our matchmaker?

Let three thousand years of time be our matchmaker

To witness our timeless love

For the rest of my life

I do not wish to return as the goddess of the Diamond Kingdom

I only wish to be the little woman in your arms

For the rest of my life

I do not wish to leave a legacy for a thousand years

I only wish to be with you, day and night

For the rest of my life

I do not wish to be a fairy in the clouds

I only wish to live fully as a mortal woman

For the rest of my life

I do not wish to be showered with thousands of affections

I only wish to nestle in the arms of you, the ultimate doting husband

For the rest of my life

I do not wish to return to the cosmic kingdom

I only wish to savor the love of this mortal world

Time as our witness

Heaven and earth as our testimony

May we be united for ten thousand years

And never part again

Time as Our Witness is an oriental love poem that transcends time and space and touches the soul. It outlines an extraordinary love spanning three thousand years with a grand mythological narrative and incorporates the classic linguistic elements depicting beautiful oaths from the Naxi Dongba Scriptures, making the romance and profound affection of oriental culture vividly expressed. Two souls were separated by the catastrophe of the Three Realms, and after traversing the Ten Directions and Dharmadhatus, going through six cycles of reincarnation and nine lifetimes of cultivation, they finally reunite under the magnolia tree. The vows in the swaying tree shadows and the gaze in each other’s eyes are the answers to the endless search through all lifetimes.

The poem combines the divine glory of the cosmic kingdom with the gentle companionship of mortal life. Letting go of all glory and fame, the poet only wishes to be the little woman in her beloved’s arms, staying together day and night. From the natural oaths of heaven, earth, mountains and rivers to the heartfelt confession with three thousand years of time as the matchmaker, the poem reveals the essence of love—it has nothing to do with status and glory, but only for rushing to one person and staying with them for a lifetime.

“Time as our witness, heaven and earth as our testimony” is a universal belief in love for all humanity. True love has no national boundaries or time and space constraints, and it is a romantic language connecting the whole world. On this Valentine’s Day, may the profound affection of this oriental love poem warm every heart that believes in true love in Greece and across the world. May all lovers be blessed by time, with their love lasting forever and never being separated.

My dearest Earth Daughter

I am the Cosmic Mother beyond primal chaos

Pluck a wisp of the Milky Way as your sash

Cut a swathe of nebula for your gown

With eons of time unspun

Weave an eternal vigil around you

Stellar orbits are the lines of my outstretched palm

Charting the distant path laid by the vast galaxy

Starlets are my soft, whispered reminders

Clinging to every step of your journey

Solar coronas are my blazing, tender gaze

Chasing the glow of your evolving prosperity

Lunar radiance is my gentle kiss

Pressed to your quiet window at night

With a shield of gravitational grace

Ward off all tempests beyond your stellar path

I have nurtured myriad star rivers

Yet hold only you, cherished, to my heart

Watch you birth green mountains and blue seas

Nurture countless plants and creatures

Watch you sow seeds of civilization

Breathe forth the fragrance of love

Watch you stumble through time’s tide

With innocence and unyielding grace

The cosmic wind breathes softly

It is me murmuring in your ear

Daughter, fear not

You rest safe in my celestial embrace

May love bloom as starlets

Adorning every fiber of your being

May the light of peace caress like dawn

Kissing every inch of your skin

May humans and nature dwell in harmony

Upholding the covenant of endless life

May all worldly strife disperse

Clear winds guiding you onward

May wisdom hold a lamp for you

Revealing your most radiant self

May you carry a glow within

Unfurling your unique light across the cosmos

Shining through the starry expanse

Honoring this celestial vigil

More so, may you, in motherhood’s name

Pass this love down through endless generations

Protecting every child of yours

And the children of your children

Regardless of gender or clan

Let love and compassion cradle your lands

You are the one-of-a-kind treasure in my palm

A peerless gift forged by the cosmos over eons

With eternity as threads and love as weft

I wrap around your springs, summers, autumns, winters

With nebulae as my bosom and tolerance as my realm

Embracing all your past

In my celestial embrace

Grow toward the light unshaken

Let love and peace

Seep deep into every inch of your soil

Walk with you through eons of time’s currents

Coexisting and shining with myriad star rivers

Becoming the most touching ode to life in the firmament

Let this great love break free from time’s chains

Flow endlessly among the stars

As fiery as a supernova’s blaze

As enduring as a galaxy’s spiral arms

Guiding the legacy of your bloodline

Let love span ages untold

Taking root and blooming in every child’s heart

Shining alongside sun and moon

Enduring with the boundless galaxy

Through endless ages

Forever thriving

Footnote

Lan Xin, through the tender voice of the Cosmic Mother and grand cosmic imagery, conveys her profound wishes for Earth and humanity: may love and peace spread across the world, may humanity and nature coexist in harmony, and may this timeless love nourish all beings, pass down through generations, and become an eternal force for good in the world.

Predestined for Three Lifetimes
Poem by Lan Xin (Lanxin Samei)

What is fate?
It is the inevitability meant to be, beneath the guise of chance.
A promise made in a past life, that brings us together in this one.
Fate is an unplanned meeting of hearts;
the moment our eyes meet,
the shadow of a former life reflects in each other’s gaze.
That unfulfilled love,
that lifelong longing—
We stand across a glimmering stream,
silent, with unspoken words in our hearts.
Through joy and sorrow in this life, I pledge to you;
I hold your hand, and grow old with you together.
Even a single encounter,
becomes an unforgettable love deep in the soul.
Do you believe?
In this world,
there is always a pair of discerning eyes
that sees through the countless crowds,
and leads the lifelong longing of the heart.
Our fate is predestined, for three lifetimes.


This poem centers on the karmic bond of “three lifetimes”, unfurling the emotional arc of a fateful encounter in a past life, lifelong companionship in the present, and a heartfelt promise for the next. It weaves profound, enduring love into the predestined connection, with every line embodying the longing for an unbroken togetherness
through all life’s joys and sorrows. “Three lifetimes” is both a classic philosophical concept denoting the past, present and future existences in traditional culture, and a vivid embodiment of this love that transcends reincarnation and remains unyielding for all eternity.

Love Fated at the Potala Palace

At last, I stand before thee
Like a young butterfly fresh from its cocoon
Rejoicing, my eyes glinting with starlight
Dost thou know? Long e’er this moment
I have turned to gaze at thee a thousand times
Thou hast, in truth, stood lofty in my heart all along
Yet thou art so grand, so towering
I feared my slender fingers could not twirl the prayer wheel
I feared the highland could not bear my lonely cold
I feared I might fall short of thy ageless vow
So to thee
I could but gaze in awe, never dare draw nigh
And thus I waited
For a mighty eagle
To bestow me strength
To lead me to thy side
At last, I stand before thee
The moment I step upon thy halls
A flame of hope surges in my breast
My heart
Is like the blazing starry firmament
Abloom with hues of radiant light
Blossoms of grace and rapture
Burst forth in my heart’s sky, like glowing neon flames
In this hour
I no longer keep my reverent distance
I have at last drawn close to thee
In this hour
All fear is gone from me
For
A mighty eagle
Doth lend me its strength


This poem traces the emotional journey of approaching the Potala Palace, depicting the transformation from yearning with awe and hesitation to finally drawing near fearlessly. With metaphors of a young butterfly and a mighty eagle, and Tibetan symbols like the prayer wheel and the highland, it weaves the poet’s reverence, hope
and eagerness for the Potala Palace into every line. It lays bare the anxiety of venturing alone to the highland, and more vividly expresses the relief and resolve of embracing the sacred land and hearting the light, empowered by love and strength.

Fated

We chanced upon one another
On that afternoon when the storm had passed
A casual brush of hearts, unplanned
Like the long-awaited rainbow
That blazed across my firmament
With a burst of iridescent glow, in an instant
If
‘Twixt thee and me
It is fated to be but a fleeting encounter
I would blaze like a firework bright
At the moment thou gazest up at the starry vault
Unfolding a lifetime of grace in one brilliant bloom
If
‘Twixt thee and me
It is fated to be a soulful kinship
I would be a pure lotus in the lake
We gaze into each other’s eyes in quiet repose
Never clasping each other’s hands
Yet my fragrance permeates thy heart
Soft and lingering, far and profound
If
‘Twixt thee and me
It is fated to be a lifelong bond
I would be a mild, delicate orchid
In thy life
Now nigh, now far
Now intense, now faint
Now blushed, now plain
Through spring’s bloom and winter’s frost
Breathtaking forth fragrance for all eternity
If
‘Twixt thee and me
It is fated to be naught at all
I only wish
A seed of sweet goodness
Might take root and sprout in thy heart, from this day forth
Growing into a tree of wishes

And in the next life
All our fated desires may find their full fulfillment


This poem eulogizes the destined love between two hearts with four layered suppositions. It weaves the beauty of fleeting encounter, the tenderness of soulful understanding, the warmth of lifelong companionship and the mild hope of unfulfilled fate into vivid metaphors of rainbow, firework, lotus, orchid and wishing tree,
expressing the sincere and selfless love that follows the will of fate and cherishes every possible bond with the beloved.

To the Angel

Angel, what is it, what bids you fall to the mortal world?
What is it, what makes you cling to this earthly dust?
Angel, what is it, what breaks your wings in twain?
What is it, what fills your eyes with tears?
Angel, you once soared on wings,
striking the blissful chord;
you once blinked eyes like autumn rills,
holding bright wishes in their glow;
you once outstretched your arms,
scattering sunlight all the way.
Yet on that pitch-black cold night,
a deafening crack rent the sky—
I saw your blood-stained wings,
your broken heart entwined.
Angel, do you blame your hasty leap to the world?
Do you regret the reckless moth’s flight to the flame?
This mortal world of strife was never yours,
the past like wispy smoke, gone in a blink.
Only the trace of your flight remains—
a crystal heart-lantern,
spilling radiance o’er the ground,
like your glistening tears.


This poem addresses an angel with tender inquiries, lamenting its fall to the mortal world: broken wings, tearful sorrow, and the shattering of its once blissful existence in a bleak cold night. It wonders if the angel regrets its hasty descent yet reminds that mortal strife was never its load. The past fades like smoke, but the trace of its flight
lingers as a crystal heart-lantern, spilling radiance like its glistening tears—its pure light enduring through fragility and loss.

Internationally acclaimed bilingual 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.

Poetry from Maja Milojkovic

Younger middle aged white woman with long blonde hair, glasses, and a green top and floral scarf and necklace.
Maja Milojkovic

MOTHER TONGUE 

Within me speaks 

a language not learned, 

but remembered before the first breath. 

It does not come from books, 

but from my mother’s voice, 

from the quiet of the kitchen at dawn, 

from whispers that heal fear. 

Within it live 

all my first “whys,” 

all my “stay,” 

all unspoken prayers. 

The mother tongue does not ask 

who I am — 

it knows me. 

In it, I return home 

even when I am far away. 

When the world grows loud, 

when words lose their faces, 

it reminds me 

that I am not just a name on paper, 

but a trace that remembers. 

Within it I breathe more slowly, 

walk more surely, 

love without translation. 

For the mother tongue 

is not only a means, 

it is my shadow, 

my mirror, 

my light. 

And as long as it lives within me, 

I know: I carry home inside me.

Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar and divides her life between Serbia and Denmark. In Serbia, she serves as the deputy editor-in-chief at the publishing house Sfairos in Belgrade. She is also the founder and vice president of the Rtanj and Mesečev Poets’ Circle, which counts 800 members, and the editor-in-chief of the international e-magazine Area Felix, a bilingual Serbian-English publication. She writes literary reviews, and as a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and international literary magazines, anthologies, and electronic media. Some of her poems are also available on the YouTube platform.

Maja Milojković has won many international awards. She is an active member of various associations and organizations advocating for peace in the world, animal protection, and the fight against racism. She is the author of two books: Mesečev krug (Moon Circle) and Drveće Želje (Trees of Desire). She is one of the founders of the first mixed-gender club Area Felix from Zaječar, Serbia, and is currently a member of the same club. She is a member of the literary club Zlatno Pero from Knjaževac, and the association of writers and artists Gorski Vidici from Podgorica, Montenegro.

Essay from Dr. Jernail S. Anand

Older South Asian man with a beard, a deep burgundy turban, coat and suit and reading glasses and red bowtie seated in a chair.
Dr. Jernail S. Anand

BOOBYTRAPS AND THE GLASS CEILING: THE COSMIC DETERMINANTS

The Boobytraps

The world is marked by injustice, as a result of which there is moral confusion in human ranks. Peace is missing from the society as well as the mind of man. The world has become a battle ground and if we see it at war, the simple reason is: it has no faith in justice. It is an unjust world in which the principles of the commonwealth are violated. The suffering scattered here and there is the result of this injustice. There is something in the atmosphere which encloses us which does not like injustice. And, all those who play foul, are brought to justice, in this very world. Those who are smart enough to use their wits, hoodwink worldly judges for some time. Finally nemesis overtakes all the evil doers and justice reigns over this world.

The world has been conceived in a state of balance. By night, the gods match the balance sheet of good and evil, crime and punishment, and the cosmos goes to sleep, only when gods are assured that the right has been administered. It is another thing what we see in this world is a different spectacle. We see that good has been hijacked and the evil enjoy the best amenities. People who indulge in corruption have high time. How come, the nemesis strikes them by night?

If human wits could understand this divine operation, gods will be turned out of heaven. Cosmic forces make sure those who play foul with the system of nature are made to suffer. They are all victims of divine justice. What crimes they have committed? Only gods know, or if you can look into their hearts, at least their conscience knows where they have erred.

The Glass Ceiling

This concept of divine intervention can be extended further to include individual achievements. Sky is not the limit. There is a glass ceiling beyond which no man can perform. While I am trying to philosophize on a para-mystical subject, some questions are doing ramp walk before me: Whatever a man has done, does he do it by himself? Or were there any forces, visible or invisible, which acted upon his choices and made him act in certain ways? Could he have performed better if he was left to himself and granted greater freedom? What propelled him, and what stopped him? What was the final settlement between the forces of action, inaction and reaction? Who fixes man’s limits? What stops a man from realising his dreams?

Whatever we achieve is the result of an honourable settlement with time. The past is frozen and shows our limits. The present and future are in a constant dialogue with time for a permanent settlement. We invest time, we invest money, we invest resources. What we get is decided by the balancing out operations of our destiny.

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, with an opus of 180 plus books, is Laureate of the Seneca, Charter of Morava, Franz Kafka and Maxim Gorky awards.  His name adorns the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. Anand is a towering literary figure whose work embodies a rare fusion of creativity, intellect, and moral vision. He is not only lone of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian poetry, but a global voice, challenging readers to confront the complexities of existence while offering hope through art and ethics.