Bad Poetry is Bad Poetry 

“I just can’t figure it out. No one seems to be reading my poems. I post them in my writing groups and even on the rest of those Social Media sites. I’m not getting any comments or likes.” She sniveled. 

“Wish I had an answer for you.” I whispered.

“I’ve been thinking it might help if I change the font for my poem. Maybe use a flowery cursive style and format . I got it. I’ll overlay my poem on a picture with an image that captures the poem’s theme. What do you think?”

“My opinion isn’t important. I’m not at all familiar with how to present a piece of literature. Marketing is a mystery to me. ” I answered. It was my poor excuse for not wanting to give her the actual reason.

‘Why won’t you answer my question? I would really appreciate your professional critique. I’m trying to reach a larger audience and I believe the reason for the poor readership is the way my poems are presented. If I make them more attractive by adding a few features to capture the reader’s attention, I will become famous. Don’t you believe it’s true? Tell me what you think.”

“My professional opinion? I’m not sure I can be considered as a professional. But if you insist and want me to give you my take on your conundrum, I’ll offer my honest assessment. But listen , please don’t get all defensive and up tight and shit like that. Don’t take it as a personal attack. Now with that being said, are you sure you want me to tell you what I think is the cause of your limited success as a poet?”

“Of course I won’t be offended. I know you’ll be honest. Wait a second, are you going to put me down?”

” I’m going to offer my honest opinion. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

” Yes. Okay, go ahead.”

” First of all, you’re way off course. You’re not seeing where the actual problem lies. The early classic Poets didn’t have Social Media and marketing tools available to dress up their work. 

Dylan Thomas, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Sylvia Plath the Beat Poets and many more. Their poems were favored because they generated emotions or inspired ideas. The poem stood as a great piece of literature solely on the words and the rhythm of the verse.  

You spend more time planning the poem’s presentation than the time you spent creating the poem. 

Let me ask you this. What is your reason for writing a poem? Why do you want to be a poet?”

“I’m not really sure. I guess because it is something that comes easily to me. It doesn’t take a lot of effort for me to write a poem. Plus I think my poetry is good enough to make me famous and wealthy.”

“That is one of the most insincere reasons for anyone to choose as their purpose for becoming a poet. Really your intention is to win some type of popularity contest just to feed your ego? I’m amused by your main goal for writing poetry is to become famous and rich. I will let you In on a secret. As a poet you will be required to have a full length mirror.”

“ Why would I need a full length mirror? “

” So you can watch yourself starve to death.”

“You’re real funny. Ha ha.” 

” Seriously, it’s obvious you don’t have the slightest inclination of the enchantment that lives and breathes inside the soul of a poem. If ever you discover the intoxicating essence of its purpose It’ll be an enlightenment confirming that your fate chose you to be a poet. As if madness wasn’t enough.”

“What, you don’t think I’m a real poet?”

“I think anyone that creates a poem is a poet. But not everyone that creates a poem is a talented poet. Some writers just produce ‘Bad Poetry’ pablum, doggerel, drivel, prattle or pure garbage.”

“So you’re saying my poetry is garbage?”

” No, I didn’t say that. I consider the theme of your poems as narcissistic. Always centered around you which in turn evokes an unfavorable response.They’re filled with uninteresting thoughts, unoriginal insights, egocentric desires and dreams. You believe your experiences, your feelings, your ideas and your opinions are as important to everyone else as they are to you. What makes you think anyone is interested in your trivial dramas, your inconsequential dilemmas. They’re all insignificant. Remember this quote; ‘ Just because it happened to you doesn’t make it interesting.’ 

“Do you understand the meaning?”

“Yes I’m not an idiot.”

“ And I’m not suggesting you are.

But, another glaring flaw appearing in your poetry is your use of grammar school childish rhymes. Rhyming love with dove or home with roam and a long list of others. Then there are the worn out idioms or cliches that just add to your poem’s unoriginality. Maybe if you spent more time creating the poem instead of the hours you waste away planning its presentation, you’d find an epic piece that’s been hidden away inside of you.

And as far as your ideas to gain attention, when I see a poem overlayed on a picture with fancy hard to read fonts in some jumbled format, I don’t even take the time to read the title. Speaking of titles, stop using Untitled for a title. Because Untitled is actually a title. It says to me, If the poet lacks the talent to create a title, the poem must be equally uncreative. Make me understand why it’s necessary to gift wrap a poem and tie it up with ribbons and bows.”

“You don’t have to be so mean. I just asked for help, not your degradation. Ya know what, go to hell. Your opinion doesn’t make you right.”

” That’s correct, I’m not claiming to be right. I said I would give you my honest opinion. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

” Fine now no sex for you until maybe forever. You know I’ve received a lot of positive responses and encouraging comments from a few of my writing groups in the past.”

“And what good did that do? Tell me. I see it as a dishonest act, perpetuating a major untruth. I’ll call it like it is, a lie. When someone posts their poems in some Poetry Group and it receives undeserved compliments. People comment with positive statements to someone who obviously has no talent for writing. Telling them it’s great ink or interesting creative verse, raving about how wonderful the poem is. Instead they should be offering suggestions on how to write a decent poem or give examples of how their poem could be better. Give them an honest assessment of their work. What people are doing by giving undeserved kudos and accolades is setting them up for a horrible realization when every poem they submit to a magazine is rejected. False encouragement and untruthful evaluation of their writing is a cruel act. It will surely backfire in the future. Admins of those groups explained to me it is an act of being nice. Personally, I’d rather have an honest critique of my writing, positive or negative instead of bullshit. I don’t need anyone to be nice. I don’t need my ego stroked. I prefer to be told the truth. “

“What makes you Mr.Know it all? I don’t see your books on the Bestseller list or your poems winning any awards. Who do you think you are? No matter what you say I’ve been told my poetry is unique.”

” See, now here you go reacting exactly like a self-righteous person getting angry and defensive because you didn’t receive flattering comments. What makes you think everyone should shower you with praise? Let me give you a fact of life. There are some real rude, insensitive, cold-hearted, brutal and callous people in this world that won’t be as polite when offering their opinion. So toughen up. “

“You hurt my feelings. I thought you would give me advice not to belittle me. You don’t know what being nice is.”

” I’m sorry if you’re upset but it’s just the way I see things. Ya know what I’ve got a great idea. Didn’t you take some Art classes in painting a couple years back at the Community College? I remember your Watercolor Paintings were dazzling. Maybe you should take a shot at being an Artist. What do you think? “

JSB

Judge Santiago Burdon 

Stray Dogs and Deuces Wild, Not Real Poetry, Quicksand Highway, Fingers in the Fan, Tequila’s Bad Advice, Lords of the Afterglow, Overdose of Destiny, Architect of Havoc, A Charlatan’s Aphorisms.

1340

The Women’s Circle

A chapel of trust envelops our circle,
A place where truth exists,
A place where we can wear purple.
Sometimes we howl from pain and memory.
A soothing word, compassionate, insightful,
Tempers those thoughts, offers new perspectives.

We share jubilations and sorrows in movement and dance,
Mad drumming and laughter,
And talking, talking, talking.
A lovely buzzing bespeaks tradition –
Our foremothers who drummed and laughed
And talked and talked and talked.

Revelatory and elemental,
With all the terror of a winter storm
And the sweet gentleness of spring.
We engage in rituals, pre-arranged and specific.
Buffalo women, Christian, Jewish—
Clever talismans guiding us through the seasons.

Our Lady of the Altar stands steadfast, reminding us of our bond.
The glow of rich mulled wine and the reliability of fresh-popped corn
Set the stage for ceremony.
We listen and take note.

Who is hurting? Who needs to be heard?
We circle around pain and anger,
Listening, offering only what we know.
We circle around joy too –
Reveling in our sisters’ tales of travel,
Marveling at our sisters’ growth.

We cycle through the seasons together, bold warrior women,
Facing each challenge as it comes.
The strength of our group provides defense
Against the harsher elements.

Summer brings its lusty rapture –
Toes unseen since the previous year
Summoning memories of summers past:
Previous lovers lying with us on moist grass, under starlit skies,
Best friends staying over to talk all night
Because it was summer.
Tawny legs and white shorts give way now
To flowing dresses, graceful movement, soulful majesty.
Buffalo women under the steady gaze
Of Our Lady of the Altar.

Autumn arrives, as it always does,
Forever catching us off guard.
A momentary pall as we mourn another summer’s passing.
Moving toward acceptance, we embrace new colors,
Commenting brightly on the crisp fall air.
Knowing how quickly it passes,
We glory in the filtered autumn light,
Bathing sky and lake in colors brilliant and pale.
It is a time of preparation
Of mind, body, soul, and hearth.

Our lake in the sky turns wintry and ponderous
Until the first wondrous snowfall –
Downy flakes and all.
Winter hardly seems ominous.
With the exuberance of children we throw back our heads,
Thrust out our tongues to catch the snow’s purity
In holy communion with God’s divinity.

Overwrapped in puffy clothing, runny red noses,
We brave deadly roads in the dead of winter.
Undaunted, we circle back again
To listen, to laugh, to be present for one another
And for ourselves.

Someone may be hurting; someone may need to be heard.
We listen, undisturbed.
Here, in our women’s circle
Where trust is found
And friendships formed,
We open our hearts
As Ladies of the Lake.

We celebrate our feminine essence as one,
Resurrecting the child within
Who loves to play in all weather,
Outside or in.

Delighting in the treasures of each miraculous season,
Reflected in every face of this glorious circle.
Fierce women, all! I celebrate you.
I wish you joy and merriment
As we circle together once again
Through the turning seasons.

It’s Time

  
The end 

Of Thanksgiving

Means that

It’s time

To start thinking creatively

About turkey sandwiches.

Taylor Dibbert is a poet in Washington, DC. He’s author of, most recently, “On the Rocks.”

—————————————————————-

hit and run

i remember when my father

told the sheriff’s deputy that

i was driving his ford bronco

that just had the hit and run

accident

that’s why i was in the bathroom

shaving, trying to hide my identity

little did that dumb fuck know

i knew the deputy

she asked me one question

where does your father usually

hang his coat

i told her usually by the door

but this time he took it to his room

she said thank you and then went

and arrested my father

i called my mother, who was at

a nursing conference an hour away

and told her that her oldest child

is going to jail

she asked what did i do

i told her not me, the dumb fuck

you are married to

i’m pretty sure i only talked

to my father once after that

that was more than enough

————————————————————-

these lonely streets (for jeff buckley)

drowning in tears

joy, pain, there’s

not that much of

a difference

anymore

a moment of silence

for all the lost souls

that still ramble these

lonely streets

just another old man

still clutching to the

faint brilliance of

the past

slowly dying under the

pressure of tomorrow

freedom

the ability to die

as you wish

her eyes glisten

as she knows there

won’t be many more

nights like this

offer apologies

buy never say

never

let the silence haunt

every last memory

——————————————————–

they all want to save you

it starts as a dull ache

a temptation for the

shotgun in the corner

a dirty old floor at

the farm you should

have died on

stuck in the suburbs

wondering which

wrong turn left

you here

and they all want

to save you just

on their terms

not in the time

frame that you

have left

people don’t like

talking about death

you put too much

into the universe

you know what

happens

yeah

wake, piss, eat, drink,

rinse, repeat day after

fucking day

always respected

the ones that never

wanted to live past

their expiration date

none of us ever

should

———————————————————

domestic bliss

a dirty pair

of underwear

hanging off

a branch of

a tree

tornado?

or did someone

cheat on their

wife?

again?

welcome to

the midwest

———————————————————–

must be the holidays

the merchants of death

are at it again

must be the holidays

as much as i can feel

every part of my body

breaking down

the spirit is what

i’m worried about

that will to live

the last flame before

death takes over the

body

there’s a faint whisper

in the back of my head

telling me to hang on

there’s a light at the

end of the tunnel

insert train joke here

and i know i am better

off than most of the world

but that isn’t some great

achievement in my eyes

swimming in debt

fighting off sharks

not exactly how i thought

the glory years would go

now the words want

to play hide and seek

and people wonder why

so many take their own

lives

J.J. Campbell (1976 – ?) is an old soul that still scrapes by each day. He’s a 3 time Best of The Net nominee and a two time Pushcart Prize nominee. He’s been published for 30 years now, most recently at Disturb the Universe Magazine, The Beatnik Cowboy, Crossroads Magazine, The Rye Whiskey Review and Misfit Magazine. He spends most of his time taking care of his disabled mother. In any seconds of free time, he’s probably placing a bet on some soccer game overseas. He still has a blog, although he rarely has time to write on it. (https://evildelights.blogspot.com)

THE DIVINE BREATHING OF MEMORIES

Today we didn’t think of anything bad.
Life seemed to be easier and longer for us…
No one shared sin with themselves,
no one spared the days that flew by.
I heard voices of the past,
the river impetuously rushed into the distance
and the heavens breathed in slowly
the clouds, cold as pieces of ice.

Olga Levadnaya, Russian visionary poet, world-famous public figure, Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, laureate of more than 20 republican, all-Russian, international literary awards, member of republican, Russian and international literary unions, author of 17 books of poetry and prose published in Russian, English, Tatar, Turkish, translated into 14 languages, author of more than 500 publications in magazines, anthologies in Russia and abroad, participant in numerous festivals, conferences, readings, member of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, Ambassador of Peace, European Poetry, poetry of International Literature ACC Shanghai Huifeng (Shanghai, Huifeng), Department of Arts and Cultures, Plenipotentiary Representative for Culture in Russia of the Republic of Birland (Africa), literary consultant of the Academy of Literature, Science, Technology of Shanxi, the Zhongshan Poets’ Community (China), honorary founding member of the World Day of K. Cavafy (Greece, Egypt), coordinator of the International Literary Festival in Russia “Woman in Literature” (Mexico), creator and director of the International Music and Poetry Festival “Handshake of the Republics”, the Forum-Battle “Tournament of Poets and AI. RR”, the International TeleBridge RR, the International Youth Music and Poetry Competition-Festival “On the Fairytale Shore of Kazanka” based on the works of Olga Levadnaya, artistic director of the Kazan Poetic Theater “Dialogue”.

December

The sky is ablaze with pink promises
I left my typewriter at your wooden door
My old red scarf is hanging around
It smells of innocent love and lies
My pink bouquet at your mother’s bed
We made strings of forever moments
I know your taste of Nirvana and dark rounds
My homemade epiphany made you a noble hero
You are now saintly and distant from me
Your new love loves your unforgettable smell
I am at my bedroom door still lying around
December was our best month like a best friend
Glittering dice of letters are in the fire
The snowflakes are pouring pain in my earlobe
I hope the year tastes good.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL PEDAGOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION SYSTEM

Niyozova Shakhnoza Farhod qizi

Termiz University of Economics and Service

Primary Education Department

Abstract

The article highlights the importance of modern pedagogical technologies and digital transformation in the continuous education system. The possibilities of integrating digital technologies into the educational process, their impact on effectiveness, existing challenges, and ways to overcome them are examined. In addition, the prospects of digital transformation processes in the national education system are analyzed.

Keywords: Continuous education, digital transformation, pedagogical technologies, distance learning, LMS, innovation.

In the context of globalization and the digital society, modernizing the education system is one of the most urgent issues. The introduction of modern pedagogical technologies at every stage of education plays a significant role not only in developing teachers’ digital competencies but also in enhancing students’ digital literacy. The “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy specifically identifies accelerating digital transformation in the education sector as a priority task.

Continuous education is a holistic system consisting of interconnected stages that develop progressively from simple to complex and logically follow one another. The continuous education process creates favorable conditions for the comprehensive development of an individual. During this period, a person acquires fundamental scientific knowledge and professional skills, develops high moral and ethical qualities, and grows into a competent and qualified specialist.

A specific worldview is also formed. In the Republic of Uzbekistan, continuous education is organized in accordance with state educational standards and curriculum requirements. Continuous education serves as the foundation for training qualified and competitive personnel and encompasses increasing the social status and prestige of young researchers and academic staff, among other objectives.

Continuous education includes the following types of education: preschool education, general secondary education, secondary specialized and vocational education, higher education, postgraduate education, professional development and retraining of personnel, and extracurricular education.The learning process of a modern individual does not end with preschool institutions, general education schools, academic lyceums, vocational colleges, or higher education institutions. A person must learn throughout their entire life; therefore, education must be continuous. Thus, continuous education is a requirement of the modern era.

In contemporary society, the strategic direction for the development of the education system is the intellectual and moral development of individuals based on purposeful independent activity in various fields.

In this context, three main tasks are emphasized: Reforming the education system; Recognizing independent activity as a fundamental principle of education and upbringing;Introducing modern information technologies into the educational and upbringing process.

Digital transformation is a process of continuous change driven by modern and digital technologies. Although digital transformation is not a new phenomenon, it represents the accelerated development of a complex of modern technologies.The twenty-first century is recognized as the age of digital technologies. Today, digital transformation processes are rapidly progressing in almost all spheres of society. Particularly in education, ongoing changes require not only new teaching and methodological approaches but also a fundamental renewal of thinking. Merely acquiring knowledge is no longer sufficient; a modern learner must be independent, creative, innovative, and open to new ideas.

Digital technologies—artificial intelligence, online platforms, virtual and blended learning systems—expand students’ worldviews and create opportunities for expressing opinions and finding unconventional solutions to problems.Pedagogical technology is considered one of the main components of pedagogical mastery. It enables teachers to quickly and accurately choose appropriate words, tone of speech, facial expressions, gestures, and behaviors when interacting with students, as well as to maintain calmness and analytical thinking in unexpected pedagogical situations. In effective pedagogical influence, all elements of a teacher’s pedagogical technique are clearly manifested simultaneously, including speech, gestures, facial expressions, and movements.

Pedagogical technique is formed based on the teacher’s individual psychological and physiological characteristics. Individual pedagogical technique depends on factors such as gender, age, temperament, character, and anatomical-psychological traits.LMS (Learning Management System) refers to a system for managing the learning process. In simple terms, it is an online platform and software where teachers upload instructional materials (texts, videos, assignments), students study these materials and complete tasks, and the system monitors learners’ activities (grades, ratings, attendance). The advantages of LMS include the possibility of distance learning, automatic assessment of student performance, centralized storage of learning materials, and fast communication between teachers and students. Popular LMS examples include Moodle (widely used in universities), Google Classroom (commonly used in schools), Microsoft Teams (used in education and business), Canvas, and Blackboard (used in international universities).

Thus, LMS is considered the core of modern digital education.The modern education system aims not only to engage students in learning but also to develop their ability to expand their knowledge, conduct research, and work independently. This has become one of the most important tasks of the educational process.

The application of innovative pedagogical methods and technologies in education creates opportunities for students to think independently and engage in self-development. In independent learning, students must demonstrate active participation in the educational process, conduct research, and apply their findings in practice. Today, education requires not only reliance on traditional lessons but also effective use of modern technologies, internet resources, and other educational tools.

Many countries around the world, including China and South Korea, place great emphasis on developing independent learning through extensive use of educational technologies. Pedagogical innovations are applied to encourage effective learning and improve the educational process. This is reflected in the formation of renewal, creative thinking, and innovative approaches in modern pedagogy.

Pedagogy is the science of education and upbringing. The term “pedagogy” originates from the Greek language and means “to lead a child.” As society’s attitudes toward intellectual and moral development have evolved, pedagogy has gained a distinct place as the science of guiding individuals toward proper development.

Consequently, pedagogy occupies a special position within the system of world sciences as the discipline responsible for educating individuals.The concept of “innovation” was introduced into science as a new economic category by the Austrian (later American) scholar Joseph Schumpeter in the first decade of the twentieth century. In his work The Theory of Economic Development (1911), Schumpeter was the first to analyze new combinations of change in development and provided a comprehensive explanation of the innovation process.

Innovation refers to a new development introduced into civil circulation or used for personal needs that ensures significant socio-economic benefits when applied in practice. As an economic category, innovation reflects the general characteristics, features, relationships, and interactions involved in creating and implementing new ideas.

The main methods for generating new ideas include: Trial and error; The control questions method; Brainstorming; Synectics; The sevenfold search strategy; The method of solving inventive problems.

Digital transformation in the education system has led to the following changes: Expansion of distance learning through digital platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams; Creation of personalized learning opportunities through artificial intelligence-based programs; Active student engagement through online tests, digital laboratories, and simulators.

Online learning platforms enable students to receive education at any time and from any location. Learners can watch lessons at their convenience, ask questions, and independently study educational materials. Such platforms support individualized learning approaches by allowing students to access resources according to their learning styles.The integration of digital technologies into the education system greatly contributes to implementing individualized approaches, creating learning processes tailored to students’ needs, and increasing educational effectiveness.

Through artificial intelligence, data analysis, online learning platforms, and innovative technologies, education can be made more efficient and engaging. Optimizing the educational process and considering students’ individual needs through digital technologies significantly enhances the quality and effectiveness of education.

Conclusion

The widespread implementation of digital pedagogical technologies in the continuous education system is a crucial factor in improving educational effectiveness, developing twenty-first-century skills among students, and training competitive specialists. The successful realization of digital transformation requires cooperation between state educational institutions and educators. Consistent reforms in this direction will ensure the sustainable development of the national education system in the future.

It is important to emphasize that pedagogical innovations must be harmonized with national traditions and the characteristics of the education system during the digital transformation process. Digital education is not merely technology; it represents a new didactic approach and a means of elevating teacher–student collaboration to a qualitatively new level. Therefore, adapting curricula to the digital environment, fostering students’ creativity and information culture, and testing and implementing international best practices locally are of great importance.

As a result, the effective use of digital technologies makes the educational process not only interactive and efficient but also sustainable and inclusive.

References

Inayatova, Z. K. (2022). Pedagogy of Primary and Continuous Education. Tashkent.Kholmurodov, Sh. (2021). Innovative Educational Technologies. Tashkent.Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy. Tashkent, 2020.Gulomov, I., & Rahimova, S. (2020). Online Learning Platforms and Students’ Individual Needs. Teaching Methodology.Tokhtasinov, B. (2022). Innovative Educational Technologies. Tashkent.Alimova, D. (2023). Digital Educational Technologies and Practice. Journal of Education and Innovations, Tashkent.

Niyozova Shakhnoza Farhod qizi was born on May 24, 1993, in Sariosiyo District of Surkhandarya Region. She graduated from Secondary School No. 55 in Sariosiyo District and later completed her studies in the Social and Humanitarian Sciences track at Academic Lyceum No. 4 under Termez State University.

She is currently a fourth-year student in the Primary Education program at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Social and Humanitarian Sciences of Termez University of Economics and Service. In the 2024–2025 academic year, she was awarded the university-established Rector’s Scholarship.To date, many of Shakhnoza’s academic articles have been regularly published and featured in mass media outlets. Her goal is to become a highly qualified specialist in her profession and to share the valuable knowledge she has gained with future generations.