Gratitude under the bright tree in its shadow we sip wine listening to birdsongs not for the presents but for the muffled quiet of fresh fallen snow I set an extra plate the candlelight flickers twice her presence or draft grilled eel feast the stray cat licks its empty bowl second helping on the plate summer cuisine
In Front of the Qutub Minar
In the small days of my childhood,
whenever the bioscope man came,
a flood of children poured through the lanes.
And the moment the magic box opened,
the very first frame revealed
the Qutub Minar.
A slender reed of red and tawny stone, p
iercing the sky,
outstretching the tall areca palms,
conversing with clouds,
colliding with sandstorms and smoke
from half-burnt straw,
it has stood for centuries—
alert as a steadfast sentinel.
Even now it rises before me,
amidst ruins, half-built walls,
and rare architectures,
gathering memories
from the hour of its making
to the pulse of the present,
breathing the earth, the water,
the shifting air of locality.
It has watched Delhi’s endless cycle
of ruin and rebirth—
the swagger, the cruelty,
the dazzling pretence of rulers,
the choking sobs of common folk,
their cries, their restless anguish.
It has seen the chameleon steps
of power-hungry courtiers,
the sly manoeuvres of brokers of the throne.
From the flight of birds
circling its crown,
the Minar has witnessed
how the six hundred thousand villages of India
are slowly squeezed dry
by the ink-blot greed of Lutyens’ Delhi,
how the ever-swelling NCR,
like a many-mouthed demon,
swallows its neighbouring towns and fields,
chewing the green edges of farming villages,
its hunger endless,
its appetite like a rakshasa
grinding everything into its dark maw.
Migration, urban glitter,
the deceitful charms of “modernity”
spin their new web each day,
draining the stored lifeblood of the rural.
Foreign capital twirls like bar dancers,
and our new generation,
bedazzled by neon dreams,
wanders in this dazzle,
half-awake, half-lost.
These are not merely domes,
stones, arches, or stairways.
This monument—this Qutub Minar—
with its tiers, its windows,
its latticed balconies, its carved arches,
is not merely a shelter for pigeons.
In silent tones it tells
of the past, the trembling present,
and the secret spells of what is to come.
Even when epochs are erased,
it stands, unwavering—
like unburnt posts left whole
in a field of scorched harvest.
Lakshmi Kant Mukul is an Indian writer, poet, critic, rural historian and serious scholar of folk culture, born on 08 January 1973 in a rural family in Maira village, District Rohtas, Bihar province, India. His literary journey began in 1993 as a Hindi poet and since then, he has published three books in Hindi and has been published in more than two dozen anthologies and hundreds of journals. Apart from Hindi, he also writes extensively in Urdu and Bhojpuri and also translates them into English himself. His two published poetry collections are- “Lal Chonch Wale Panchhi” and “Ghis Raha Hai Dhan Ka Katora”. His published book on rural and local history is- “Yatrion Ke Najriye Mein Shahabad”. He has received many awards for his work, including Aarambh Samman for his poetry writing in Hindi language, the prestigious Hindi Sevi Samman of Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. His English poetry has been published in many international anthologies and translated into many languages. The notable achievements of his literary career are – recognition as a farmer poet and expertise on the changes taking place in the rural environment in the global era. Having studied law, he has adopted the modern style of farming. postal address -LAKSHMI KANT MUKUL Village _ Maira, PO _ Saisar, SO _ Dhansoi, Buxar, Bihar [ INDIA] Mob.no._6202077236 Postcode – 802117 Email – kvimukul12111@gmail.com
Someone To Speak For Me
It is useless knowing a language anymore
when there are computers to know it for you.
I am forgetting the keyboard keys.
I am forgetting my name
and the name of the screen.
I do not need it. I do not need
to know what I do not know.
Query the word for words for my open mouth.
Hello I am leaving hello right
here on the inside of my
—
and thought I would give you an updated bio:
Noah Berlatsky (he/him) is a freelance writer in Chicago. You can find info on his poetry collections and chapbooks, as well as his writing on politics and culture, at his newsletter: Everything Is Horrible.
The Promise
Inspired by Wallace Stevens
The unholy frenzy of a three-week shopping spree
In single-minded pursuit of the consummate offering.
Some treasure that captivates my love, if only briefly,
Evoking blithe memories of Christmas past,
When Lionel trains, roller skates, and shiny Schwinn bicycles
Promised unadulterated pleasure.
But in this age of uncertainty and scrutiny,
The perfect gift feels like a seasonal illusion,
A practiced sleight of handThrough which we mime,
Hallmark-style,
The otherwise unspoken stirrings of the heart.
Undaunted, I set out in search of holiday treasure.
If such gifts exist at all, will they captivate again?
Clogged thoroughfares.
Rented Santas, rumpled and feigning cheer.
Perry Como jingles.
Nerves frayed by the discordant rhythms of the mall.
And my own insatiable Yuletide longings,
Coveting glittering bounty fit only for a king.
Seeking solace, solitary on Christmas night,I retreat outdoors and lift my eyes to the heavens,
A shimmering veil of tears posing ancient questions:
Is it the star in the East that stirs my soul?
What did the traveling Wise Men divine in such stars?
I am reminded of a birth in Bethlehem, long ago,
A squalling mortal child, uniting God and Man,
Offering a glimmer of understanding.
Some Being, however intangible, delivered to us an idea,
An infinitude of love.
A mystery wholly reasoned through an infant form,
And through Him, a promise of divinity.
These are the gifts of the Wise Men:
Bequests of understanding, compassion, and grace,
Left for pagan pilgrims
In this most unholy season.
A spirit that returns each Yuletide,
Quietly, joyously.
As the miracle we call Christmas.
www.diannangel.com
Later, I told Hollywood scenester and Lemmy associate Tequila Mockingbird about it. She hadn’t been there, hadn’t seen the way Lemmy’s eyes carried both mischief and gravity, hadn’t felt the weight of his charisma pressing down like a bass riff. From the outside, she misjudged it, calling it seduction. But that was her projection, not the truth of the moment.
Because Lemmy’s seduction was not necessarily sexual. It was existential. It was about drawing you into his orbit, making you part of the mythos. He seduced everyone—men, women, journalists, fans—into the gravity well of Motörhead. To sit on that bed was to be baptized into his world, where the sacred texts were written in nicotine stains and the gospel was screamed through Marshall stacks.
At the time, I was Alex S. Johnson, rock journalist. I wasn’t out as transfemme yet. My identity was still a private constellation, a truth I carried but hadn’t named aloud. Lemmy didn’t know that part of me, and yet—looking back—I see how his gesture resonates differently through the lens of who I am now, as Kandy Fontaine.
Classic Lemmy: collapsing the distance between journalist and confidant, between interview and communion. He didn’t care about categories—man, woman, transfemme goddess, fan, or critic. He cared about whether you could hang, whether you could accept the offering, whether you could step into the myth without flinching.
The cigarettes were not just smokes. They were a bond, a way of saying: You’re one of us now. The bed was not an invitation to romance but to belonging. And in that moment, I understood the difference between being misjudged from the outside and being initiated from within.
Now, as Kandy Fontaine, transfemme goddess, I revisit that memory with new eyes. I see not just the ritual of inclusion but the radical acceptance embedded in it. Even though I wasn’t out, Lemmy’s gesture carried no judgment, no hesitation. He didn’t need me to explain myself. He simply welcomed me into the communion of rock ’n’ roll, and in retrospect, that welcome feels even more profound.
The Importance of Digital Literacy in the Modern World
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, digital literacy has become an indispensable skill for individuals across all walks of life. Digital literacy means more than just the ability to use a computer or smartphone; it encompasses the capacity to critically evaluate digital content, communicate effectively through digital platforms, and safely navigate the online environment.
Enhancing Communication and Social Interaction
With the rise of the internet and digital devices, communication has transcended traditional boundaries. Digital literacy empowers people to connect instantly through emails, social networks, and video calls. This accessibility enriches personal relationships and expands professional networks, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
Facilitating Access to Information and Lifelong Learning
The digital world offers an enormous amount of information at one’s fingertips. Having the skills to find, assess, and apply this information accurately is crucial in education, research, and day-to-day decision-making. Digital literacy encourages self-directed learning and adaptation in an era where knowledge rapidly evolves.
Boosting Employment and Economic Growth
In the modern job market, digital competence is often a prerequisite. From basic computer skills to advanced data analysis, employees with strong digital literacy can perform tasks more efficiently and innovate within their roles. Organizations that invest in digital transformation experience improved productivity, competitive advantage, and market growth, which in turn stimulates the economy.
Addressing Challenges and Promoting Responsible Use
Despite its advantages, digital technology also poses risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. A digitally literate person understands these challenges and applies ethical standards while using technology. Awareness of cybersecurity practices and digital etiquette ensures a safer online environment for everyone.
Supporting Social Inclusion and Empowerment
Digital literacy reduces the digital divide by enabling marginalized groups to access resources and opportunities previously out of reach. It fosters empowerment by providing tools for civic engagement, access to healthcare information, and participation in digital economies.
Conclusion
Digital literacy is foundational for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. It enhances communication, education, employment, and social inclusion while promoting responsible digital citizenship. Societies that prioritize digital literacy are better equipped to harness technology’s full potential, ensuring sustainable development and global connectivity.
The Scales of Dawn
In loving memory of human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi
Iran breathes deep in shadowed hues,
where Injustice holds its heavy chain,
Binding spirits, dimming views,
and hope becomes a whispered pain.
But hark! A stirring, strong and clear,
a call for balance; sharp and bright,
to dry the marginalized tear,
and bring the silenced into light.
Justice angel walks on the earth as a warrior bold
with eyes that hold the sun’s own fire
a story waiting to unfold,
fueled by a deep and unquenched desire.
Her armor forged from Truth’s own gleam,
her voice; a trumpet, clear and strong,
to break the mold, to shatter dream
of ancient wrongs that linger long.
For every door held shut by fear,
for every heart that knows despair,
she brings the promise, ever near,
a breath of freedom in the air.
With steady hand, she lifts the scales
to weigh the hidden and meet the need
until the day that wrongness fails,
and Love and Equity take seed.
