Love, Love And Love

I see love in the sea of your eyes

I feel love in your large heart

l get pain in your absence 

I pick up memories in your footprints

I get colour in your dream

As my dream is same

I read the poems in your pen

I breathe the air surrounding you

I walk in the forest of love and dream

l live in the island of mystery 

Come and make a history. 

If anyone loves you

My heart burns

I can’t control myself

When I see you.

Our regular contributor, prose and poetry writer Jacques Fleury, invites Synchronized Chaos readers to review his latest book. He will send FREE ebooks to people who will provide at least 50-75 word blurbs in their blogs or on Amazon/Goodreads.

About his book:

  “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”

There is a deep yearning inside all of us to bring to light what makes us who we are! In this book, you will encounter literature replete with neurodivergent poetry—akin to 18th century English poet Christopher Smart, notable for his visionary power and lyrical virtuosity. You will also discover a collection of well researched writings, both new and previously published, that explore, debate, celebrate and reaffirm the human spirit and its often pathological and pernicious capacity for antiphonal ruminations and self-inflicted pain, a prismatic portrait of triumph over trauma. It is an articulation of metacognition or self-awareness, an attempt to explore the complexities of man’s inner struggle against the backdrop of Global disharmony mediated by our shared humanity. Ultimately a valiant effort in proffering a favorable outlook for an innovative, adaptive and idyllic prototype: unrestrained love, compassion, understanding and acceptance of our truest selves.

Another regular contributor, poet, prose writer, and photographer Brian Michael Barbeito, would also love a review of his latest book Still Some Crazy Summer Wind Coming Through.

Still Some Crazy Summer Wind Coming Through is a collection of prose poems and photography by Canadian poet Brian Michael Barbeito. The writings combine the themes of the natural world and metaphysics in a braided and interwoven journey seen through the phantasmagoric lens of a world that is both physical and spiritual. They are accompanied by landscape photos taken by the author. This unique and inspiring collection includes an introduction by Cristina Deptula, the Executive Editor of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Please comment or contact us at synchchaos@gmail.com if either the Fleury or the Barbeito book interests you for review.

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Now for this month’s issue: Reflecting Us Back To Ourselves. These submissions, while depicting or exploring different subjects and ideas, also show us parts of ourselves and how we think. As with a lot of art and writing, they serve as pieces of glass within an angled, composite mirror, showing us what we value and find interesting.

Royal Rhodes’ work illuminates how we can find ourselves within cultural artifacts – books, films, and art – depending on where we choose to focus. Christopher Bernard describes the evocative music of a blind singer and what he saw and would have created from a photo of a child’s footprints at the beach.

Stephen Jarrell Williams pays tribute to a writer who followed her craft and philosophical insights and incidentally found an audience along the way. Mykyta Ryzhykh’s play highlights how each civilization and each person is tasked with discovering and creating meaning in life.

Bach Le’s work speaks to being multiracial and his thoughtful, but imperfect, attempts to capture complex and nuanced human experiences through art.

Tohirova Husnova Nurillo crafts a rhymed and metered poem on the importance and value of precision in scientific measurement that speaks to how we seek and understand truths in nature.

Shaxribonu Qoziyeva highlights the value and beauty of learning and education. Madinaxon Meliqoziyeva grows poetic about the aesthetics and structure of poetry. Sobirjonova Rayhona offers up praise and thanks to a dedicated teacher.

Rayhona Jumaniyazova urges people to use language with elegance and compassion. Gulmira Polotova highlights the humanity, caring, and determination in Zarifa Saidnosirova’s play Oybegim Mening.

David A. Douglas draws on the cultural language of movies to illustrate negative drama within a family. Ziyodaxon O’roqboyeva highlights the history and cultural importance of Uzbek fairy tales. Martha Ellen Johnson depicts a mother’s grief as a daughter descends into an abusive relationship.

Randall Rogers disrupts toxic masculinity and fascism with a portrait of his more reasonable father and some mixed metaphors. Bruce Roberts’ anti-Trump poems satirize American politics as Pat Doyne’s poetry draws on Biblical metaphor to reflect on the need to spiritually and morally cleanse the American political scene. Mahbub Alam mourns the political unrest and violence in his native Bangladesh, yet affirms his unconditional love for his country.

Richard Modiano reviews Yahia Lababidi’s Palestine Wail, illustrating her hope for the power of compassion to overcome the power of resentment and war. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa asks why humans so often act without humanity, but takes comfort in the earth itself and other creatures to outlast us. Faleeha Hassan uses lipstick, beauty, and the secret confidences of lovers as illustrations of the grace and nuance of everyday life that is at risk in wartime.

Nargiza Xusanova points out the value of simple acts of kindness as Kristy Raines’ work expresses gentle, delicate love. Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai’s poetry renders the sensitive emotions of a newly flowering love and its loss. Mesfakus Salahin’s poem celebrates the tender beauty of a romance and Gulchexra Iskandarova encourages readers to live simple and kind lives. Zarina Rizoqulova evokes the strength, gentleness, wisdom and grace of Uzbek women, who have traditionally cared for their families and the land.

Michael Robinson speaks to the strength he finds through daily reliance on his Christian faith. Chiniqulova Gulsora finds inspiration and love through practicing Islam. Jacques Fleury’s self-exploration at the end of summer prepares him for a fresh beginning.

Sayani Mukherjee’s piece reflects on how it can be difficult to take joy in simple summer pleasures while the world is burning. Regina Lawless sends an excerpt from her book Do You that depicts her grief on losing her husband. Nosirova Gavhar’s tender story conveys the loneliness and pervasive nature of grief.

Taylor Dibbert comments on the increasing fear in many modern societies. Bill Tope’s story highlights the slippery slope we head down when we begin censoring books and ideas.

Rashidova Shahrizoda Zarshidovna extols the imaginative potential of books and reading. Mark Young graces us with the acrobatic swirls of birds and words on the page. Jim Meirose’s short story plays with words and fragments of narrative and speech. Vernon Frazer’s concrete poetry splashes words around the page as elements in a painting.

Ziyoyeva Irodaxhon suggests that modern education requires creativity, inspiration, dedication and continual learning on the part of teachers. Sobirjonov Dilmurod Toymurodovich gives thanks for the caring heart of his mother. Sadoqatxon Ahmadaliyeva offers up a poetic tribute to the steadfast love of parents, Dinora Amanbayeva extols the caring and compassion of mothers, and Muxammadiyeva Sevinch Zaripovna feels gratitude for her life while reading of her parents’ past struggles.

Zebo Rahmonberdiyeva points out how gratitude can lead to happiness. J.J. Campbell evokes nostalgia and memories of past happiness amidst his difficult present life.

Shodiyeva Madina points out that happiness comes from within, not from measuring up to others’ standards, as we are all different. Stephen House speaks to humility, not always having to give advice since our world is already full of different people who all consider themselves knowledgeable.

Ismoilova Sevinchoy motivates readers to set aside distractions and pursue their goals. Ozoda Turaqulova proudly celebrates her work anniversary at an Uzbek industrial gold mine. Ahmad Al-Khatat entreats those in recovery to continue their healing journeys.

Jackie Chou speaks to identity, selfhood, and wild and urban nature in her lively and sincere poems. J.D. Nelson’s one-line poems portray brief encounters with the natural world, embedded as we are within it. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ work highlights the wildness and unruly colors and shapes of nature.

Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photos explore ways we domesticate and encounter the natural world. Daniel De Culla explores children’s complex feelings about eating other creatures, namely, snails. Kurolova Dilnura outlines the study of ecology and reminds readers to care for the environment. O’tkir Mulikboyev encourages proper care and stewardship of nature and water.

Brian Barbeito sends up a fantastical vision of electricity, enlightenment and ladybugs.

Mark Blickley interweaves figures and colors and mixed media to craft intricate collages. Brooks Lindberg touches on cosmology, jazz music, history, and philosophy in his poems. Duane Vorhees illustrates the volatile and sensual nature of romantic love and attraction. Dr. Sajid Hussain evokes the intensity of spiritual emptiness and the joy of enlightenment.

We hope that this issue helps you in your quest for meaning and joy.

About “my Oybek” book

Undoubtedly, Oybegim Mening is one of the rarest and best works of Uzbek literature. Oybegim, which occupies a deep place in my heart, has such a powerful effect on every person who reads it that you can’t put this book down and fall in love with how it will end. my respect increased even more, this work did not leave a slight impression on my most sensitive feelings. They are so strong in the ways of life that no matter how many evil-minded people try to break them, they will not be able to do this.

Even some writers who are enlightened and learned in society are doing everything they can to arrest Oybek, to break him, they look for flaws in his works, they slander Oybek… But Oybek, a strong writer, does not give up. Oybek’s poems and works, with such a pure conscience and such a wonderful nature, are still in the hearts of not only Uzbek readers, but also readers of the whole world. The conspiracies against him did not leave a small impact on Oybek. Oybek was in severe pain, lost his speech, but did not give up.

Zarifa Saidnosirova is the one I admired throughout the play. He was so pure, religious, and knowledgeable that he stayed by Aybek’s side until the end, always supported him, was always by his side in the most difficult situations, he was a real life partner. In fact, Zarifa Saidnosirova was not a writer, she was the first Uzbek chemist, but one cannot help but admire the fact that she was able to create such a beautiful, immense work, a work that is more beautiful than the works of some writers, a work that will be imprinted in memories….. Zarifa Saidnosirova is the child of a rich family. He will have a child, his father will be a knowledgeable, highly spiritual person who helps the elderly (if he lived for 52 years, he will spend 11 years away from home).

Oybek is the son of an ordinary farmer, but Zarifa did not care about this at all, even during the play there is no mention of Oybek being the son of a farmer, the person who reads the work does not notice that Oybek’s family is a troubled family, even if you read it very carefully, it can be noticed. Only a person familiar with the life and work of Oybek knows this for sure. Zarifa Saidnosirova, like some girls today, does not even think about the fact that she is poor and I am rich… This is pure and true love…

In fact, Zarifa Saidnosirova was not a writer, she was the first Uzbek chemist, but one cannot help but admire the fact that she was able to create such a beautiful, immense work, a work that is more beautiful than the works of some writers, a work that will be imprinted in memories….. Zarifa Saidnosirova is the child of a rich family. He will have a child, his father will be a knowledgeable, highly spiritual person who helps the elderly (if he lived for 52 years, he will spend 11 years away from home).

Oybek is the son of an ordinary farmer, but Zarifa did not care about this at all, even during the play there is no mention of Oybek being the son of a farmer, the person who reads the work does not notice that Oybek’s family is a troubled family, even if you read it very carefully, it can be noticed. Only a person familiar with the life and work of Oybek knows this for sure. Zarifa Saidnosirova, like some girls today, does not even think about the fact that she is poor and I am rich… This is pure and true love…

As soon as the play ends, saying that Oybek will never take it, he is just resting, something breaks in everyone’s heart….

I just congratulate these people

Oybek and Zarifa…..just a real proof that there are pure love and pure hearts.

I am Gulmira Poʻlotova. I was born in October 29.2005 in Uzbekistan. Bukhara city. Nowadays I am a freshmen of National university of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugʻbek. In my free times I really keen on short stories and articles also. In the future I want to be a professional translator.

Street Video

These stories almost escaped
from order into dizzying chaos,
with linear cartoon-like panels
in the rows of tenement floors,
letting us glimpse the dramas
inside, without subtitles to read.
The lens took in the flaking paint,
acid-yellow wall-paper strips,
and a woman gazing out at us,
squinting through a bruised eye.

The action moved along from here
to there, inventing a melodrama
of gunshots and alley dumpsters
But we also had seen in the street
the image from a pin-hole camera
a homeless man had documented
from when he was living rough
a block from the stately capitol
where legislators reiterated claims
that no veterans ever slept on grates.
_________________________________

THE SCHOOL MOVIE

Almost as soon as the lights
snapped on as the credits ended
those around me started asking
which character in the film
shot on summer location here
was me or should be me
or why was their cameo cut?
And a few joshing friends
with their cinema radar on
emailed or blogged the same.
Perhaps that sad-sack retiree
who quit, then recanted,
with nothing new to fill a life
spent teaching 37 years,
like a modern Mr. Chips.
("That's Mister Chipping to you")
Or perhaps a gender-bending
version of the straight-backed
harsh female faculty star,
played like, not modeled
on. a former colleague, quick
tongued and creator of quips.
The friends in joking missed
the pathetic theatre of teaching,
the sweaty wrestling with angels,
the jazz of long, dark nights,
the cries of "Help me. Help me."
as we all stepped in quicksand
that we had not seen ahead.
And this film the boy genius
shot was the perfect medium:
the plastic loops of stuff
that will eventually decay,
like our bodies and minds,
the young and old alike,
as the quick, flickering light
passes through and is gone.
___________________________________

TESTAMENT

"Ithaca gave you the beautiful journey..."
                    -- K. Kavafis

His bed table was bare
except for his glasses, propped
up as if being worn,
beside an open book.
Others would later say
outside his poems his life
does not really exist.
The silence here implies
there is "nothing left to give,"
as a darker voyage begins.
His poetry strips down,
exposing itself as prose,
its "double life" is finished.
Later, reading his books
we felt the heat of his work.
 From such a room as this,
with oriental carpets,
a black desk with gilt,
a velvet armchair,
such conventional pieces,
he inhabited his pasts
like bits of arcane clothing,
and he allowed the secret lives
of those who were not consistent,
unsurprised by their faults,
those undone by misfortune,
bad-timing, and knowledge
imperfect in source and expression,
or the crowned goddess of luck
who rules even the gods.
And now he sits alone
in this room without a light,
recalling nights that were endless
in brightly illumined cafes.
He heard a figure at dawn
enter and sit on his bed,
the place where the fortunate die.
Once when asked to write
his farewell, he took a pen
to a drawn circle's center
and placed a single dot.
The glasses he left aside
were for me an empty mirror,
looking at myself
looking at myself.


Royal Rhodes is a retired educator who taught classes in global religions for almost forty years. His poems have appeared in several literary journals. He lives now in rural Ohio.

Five One-Line Haiku

rose blooms of mid-June a dandelion gone to seed

—

near sunset summer’s first bat circles above Broadway

—

staring contest a small rabbit hops out of a bush onto the sidewalk

—

morning errands little horseflies bite my calves & ankles

—

were crews able to put out the fire a bit hazy this morning

—

bio/graf

J. D. Nelson is the author of eleven print chapbooks and e-books of poetry, including *purgatorio* (wlovolw, 2024). His first full-length collection is *in ghostly onehead* (Post-Asemic Press, 2022). Visit his website, MadVerse.com, for more information and links to his published work. Nelson lives in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

The Beacon of Knowledge

In halls where echoes softly tread,
A world of wisdom gently spreads.
Where minds awake and spirits soar,
Education opens every door.

A child’s first steps in learning’s grace,
A teacher’s patience lights their face.
From letters formed to stories told,
A bright future begins to unfold.

The books are gateways, vast and wide,
To realms of knowledge, far and wide.
In pages worn and pens that glide,
Dreams are nurtured, side by side.

The sum of all our hopes and fears,
Reflected in the students’ tears.
For every challenge met with might,
Brings forth a dawn, a clearer sight.

In science labs and art rooms bright,
In every quest for deeper light.
The seeds of thought are gently down,
In every heart a wisdom grows.

Through history’s lens and language’s song,
We find our place where we belong.
In numbers’ dance and nature’s law,
We see the world in silent awe.

For education’s gentle hand,
Shapes the mind to understand.
In every lesson, deep and true,
Lies the strength to start anew.

So let us honor every mind,
With paths to knowledge, unconfined.
For in each scholar’s fervent quest,
Lies the hope to be our best.

Qo’ziyeva Shaxribonu Muzaffar qizi was born on September 5, 2004, in Mirishkor district, Qashqadaryo region. Currently she is a 3rd year student in the Mathematics and Informatics program at Shahrisabz State Pedagogical Institute. She is also a mathematics teacher at School №19 in Shahrisabz district. She is learning Turkish.

To my compatriots

You don’t give equal risk to everyone,

You whole family is a great happiness.

When separated from the gold and the state,

Don’t live in the world.

Don’t worry, don’t worry,

Enjoy the air and the sun.

Don’t let the rich world overflow,

Live close to what you find.

Don’t let sorrows infect your face,

Thank you for every second.

Help good people,

Be a good person, thank you.

Iskandarova Gulchehra was born in the Gallaorol district of Jizzakh region.