Poetry from Duane Vorhees

THE UNDECIDABILITY IN MIDMOST ME

In my crippledness in your crowd

I split into Solo and Also; in my alone

I bleed between my shadow and my ego.

Our currents are blurred. My substance

is ubiquitous, my components are common.

And still I conceive I’m composed uniquely.

My tide advances ashore withdraws

advances withdraws once more. That which

I have just resolved I then unresolve again.

Can an invisible man still disappear?

Women in how many cities

have unnoticed my presence?

We wish to apportion the What

that’s beyond outside into a space,

a time, enumeration, and causality, but

there are not words enough to measure

the random ungoverned imagination,

the divine hunger for enduring novelty.

Yet some of you quest for a wholeness

in which these me cease to exist. I’d

become less than this manyed nothingness.

GUINEVERE AND THE MINOTAUR

“Love is just

an affair

of the tongue,”

you say.

“a poetry.”

“But you’re wrong,”

I say.

(Nor is it just.

But it’s enough

to satisfy

us cold,

us hungry,

us soul-

impaired.)

In our masks,

the cynic’s,

the romantic’s,

the two of us,

“This, our hour,

our hieroglyph,

is powered

by a myth —

is it a tower

or labyrinth?”

we ask.

SOCIETY’S SCRIPTS

We live inside our systems of symbols.

A creed, a border, a script for courtship,

we need our ordered dogmas to worship.

Our yous and Is dance to their rituals.

The score is settled. It is all arranged.

(An individual may improvise

within choreography and chorus,

but the rote familiar eases the strange.)

Algorithms determine processes.

The fixed prescriptions neutralize the strains

and routined weather charts predict the rain.

Tested certainties discourage guesses.

We live inside our systems of symbols.

Our yous and Is dance to their rituals.

CIRCUMSTANCE AT THE CENTER OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE

My mind wrestled itself, pinned ‘tween Law and Gospel, Vision and Division. And pondered my place within the world — a time to remember? To dismember?

And then I heard, inside, Jehovah: “Wisdom is your recognition that midgets and giants are members of one family. And the pierced are the parents of the whole. This saith Allah the LORD.”

(A disputatious bluejay argues over the head of the wheelchaired woman.)

And then I heard from inside, Allah: “The dark and the light, the female and the male, the hallowed and the damned — and the wide and varied spectra between — all inhabit the same castle hovels, eat identical fruits and breads, fill their mutual lungs with the same necessary air. They live only to die alike. Thus saith Buddha the LORD.” 

(A frolicsome collie is crushed beneath the wheels of the speeding Mercury.)

And the, from inside I heard Buddha: “Siblings are the sinister and the sincere. The thankless are inseparable from the sanctified. The unhurt and the maimed share one body after all, hidden by illusions of skin and gender, atlas and caste. Thus saith Krishna the LORD.”

(A gynandromorphic monarch flutters to the patient finger of the eager child.)

And then from within came Krishna: “The ancient one was an infant once, just as the babe shall one day age. Nights belong to insomniacs and narcolepts alike, and the sun is owned in equal measure by the famous and the nameless. Thus saith Ra the LORD.”

(A jet fighter scratches its vapor fingernails against the cloudless sky.)

And then I announced to myself:

Mankind is a patchwork of the alienated and the integrated.

Of the squandered and the saved.

Of the vicious and pacific.

Of the sane and the imbecile.

Of ensultaned and enslaved….

And Heaven the shared possession of our various souls, demarcated by social lines and by lines within our minds.

Thus saith  I.

(Ants parade across the yard’s Formica table.)

And I stretched and left the porch.

AGENCY

Of what is built the world?

Of timber, steel, and stone,

with bicep and testosterone?

No. Of powder and foundation.

Where lies the garden’s lure,

in garland or in thorn?

The harem whips and spurs the crown

To accommodate their station.

Poetry from Khadija Ismail

Mother earth

The earth whispers to the universe ''don't hurt me ''.
With trees, barks, waves and sunshine bearing witness.
It pleaded in soothing, calm voice.
Yet the universe take charge, it was offended by the comment.
It says '' I'm not hurting you I'm saving you''.
Oh that's an irony!

How could you be claiming to save her when you are busy taking what she loves an cherishes the most.
When her first child the soil loses purpose by you burning it, 
' we are looking for treasure' a biased point you always try to make.
When the rock is suffering from your excavations, yes there's a fortune there.
When bloods shatters and run down the water banks, and your waste moves faster than the waves.
When you were busy cutting trees, it tears thicker than the gums you use to hold things together.
When it confident was hitted in the ass
It courage is melting like a magma
It looses it comfort at your mercy—holding your feets begging for survival
Her pride was like that of a dust
Your ego was boosted what a macho man you are.
You didn't just hurt her, you destroy her.
Just like a horny dog wanting to have a taste of the honeypot ey


She cried she pleaded till the tears dried like an abandoned pond.
Like that lake that now resembles valley,  like a godforsaken shrine
And now when she takes charge, punishing you for your crime.
You started playing victim's card—what a manipulator you are.
You worried when rain doesn't drop, blaming it on her
When it was your flames and fire that stopped it.
You cry when the temperature rises to 44 with no trees to seek refuge to.
We chant an anthem of climate action every day but we ignored it
We raise actions on plant trees while the ones in our neighborhood are dying 
When our land have become barren and no drop-not a single drop of water can make it alive nor fertile.
Then we are busy playing hunger games, with zero point or a merit to win.

When you start running after her family asking for forgiveness, they said '' No there's a fortune there, go eat it'' 
Then now you remember that '' you can't eat your cake and have it''.
Crying won't solve any problems you have, you created it so you have to pay for it.

It's high time we start been intentional with what we do and say.
We can't be hiding behind the screen saying we'd change the world when we can't change ourselves and the way we think.
We can't be climate change activist when waste flooded our homes.
Our rooms smells like garbage 
Our drainage have to turned to refuse
Change starts from me, so let it rises from here 
Let's stand up and take action in our hands,
Let's start building a greener environment 
Let's dispose our waste properly 
 then may be may be the earth will heed to our calls
And the climate will be friendly to us all

Khadija Ismail is a student of Medical lab science, a Hausa novelist, writer, poet, essayist and content writer. Her works centres on society and romance, she uses words to address issues like GBV, Mental and public health. She is the writer of Nisfu Deeniy and Wani rabo. Her work will be published in Yanar gizo anthology.

You can connect with her on Facebook as Khadija Bint Ismail and Deejasmah Writer on Instagram and Tiktok.

Essay from Soibjonova Mohinsa

The hymn of the homeland in the hearts

Soibjonova Mohinsa, a student of the 1st general education school of the Kurgantepa district of Andijan region 

Annotation: This article discusses how love for the homeland awakens high feelings in the human heart, how these feelings are passed on from generation to generation, enriching the spiritual wealth of our people. The beauty of the homeland, its historical heritage and faith in the future become an inexhaustible hymn in every heart. This hymn in the hearts is manifested not only in words, but also in deeds as a bright expression of loyalty to the homeland.

Keywords: Motherland, love, loyalty, hymn, heart, beauty, opportunities, historical places, heritage, future, pride, inspiration, feelings, country, values.

Introduction: Homeland is the birthplace of man, the cradle of his language and the most sacred feeling in the deepest corner of his heart. It is not only a geographical area, but also the center of our history, culture, and aspirations. Great scholars such as Abu Rayhan Beruni and Alisher Navoi emphasized that loving and preserving the homeland is the highest duty of a person.

Main part: Our people always add the word “mother” to the word homeland. Mother is the homeland. Because the homeland is like a mother. Therefore, the mother must be the homeland. The homeland is the greatest blessing, and the more we talk about it, the less we talk about it. Because the homeland is the place where our umbilical cord blood was shed.

It is not only the place where we were born, but also an important support for our entire life. Our great scholars have also expressed deep thoughts about this.

Alisher Navoi, on the other hand, said, “Whoever is separated from his homeland, will not reach the homeland,” and tried to feel the pain of separation from his homeland and the value of the country. After our homeland gained independence, many opportunities were created in our country for future generations, not only for the younger generations, but for all people. First of all, after independence, our Islamic values were restored. People could freely pray, fast, and, if they wanted, go on the Hajj pilgrimage. This is evidence of the restoration of our scientific values. In addition, large investments are being made for the young future generation and extensive conditions for education are being created. Our Uzbekistan is flourishing. Nowadays, tourists from different countries are also visiting our country. They visit historical places and express positive opinions about our country. Because historical structures built by our great thinkers for centuries have been preserved in our homeland. Of course, this is also one of our our values. After independence, our national anthem was adopted on December 10, 1992. After that, “The Anthem of the Motherland in the Hearts” began to sound. The anthem awakens in the human heart a feeling of love and loyalty to one’s Motherland, and most importantly, love for the country.

Conclusion: To summarize this article, they say that love for the motherland is not proven in words, but in deeds.

Therefore, each of us, while loving it, should protect it like the apple of our eye, cherish it, always be vigilant in the face of various harmful ideas and songs, and encourage each other to do the same. Only then will we find satisfaction from the Motherland. There is some wisdom in this satisfaction. I believe in the young future generations. They still achieve high results in science, sports, and all fields. I will also be the young generation of a bright future that will benefit my country! Until now, there have been those who have achieved these achievements with their own labor, and future generations will not stop seeking knowledge. After all, it is not for nothing that they say, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” Abu Nasr Al-Farabi also emphasized the need for enlightenment and moral perfection for the prosperity of the country, saying, “A well-educated people sacrifice their lives for the welfare of their country.” We are also our homeland We must be ready to give our lives for it. I would also like to say that we live in a peaceful country where such conditions have been created. For this, first of all, we must be grateful. Let me be grateful that we live in such a peaceful and quiet homeland!

This article is dedicated to the 34th anniversary of our independence

List of used literature:

1. Alisher Navoi. Mahbub ul-qulub. Tashkent: Gafur Ghulom Publishing House, 1983.

2. Forabiy, Abu Nasr. Views of the people of Fozil city. Tashkent: Yangi asr avlod, 2009.

3. Karimov, I.A. The homeland is as sacred as a place of worship. Tashkent: Uzbekistan, 1996.

4 Khayrullayev, M. Spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people. Tashkent: Fan, 1994.

Essay from Alex S. Johnson

Tough looking middle aged white woman with long eyelashes and lipstick in a black capelike jacket holding out her fist.

Tairrie B Murphy: Outlaw Spirit and the Return of My Ruin

I first interviewed Tairrie B Murphy at a coffee house in Hollywood. The setting was intimate, far from the roar of amplifiers, and she teased me about probably eating all the cookies once she left. That playful moment revealed her warmth and humor, qualities that coexist with her volcanic stage presence. During that interview for Juggernaut: The Magazine of Extreme Music, she told me I was her hero for putting Karyn Crisis on the cover. She even hung that cover on her wall. For Tairrie, Karyn represented a kindred outlaw spirit—fierce, feminist, uncompromising.

That resonance was later captured visually when Amelia G and Forrest Black of Blue Blood magazine photographed Tairrie with her own variation on Karyn’s iconic angel wings. Where Karyn had worn angel wings, Tairrie chose bat wings, a darker inversion, a declaration of her volcanic energy. I designed that cover in collaboration with Amelia and Forrest, ensuring the imagery reflected both homage and individuality. At the end of that interview, she leaned in with a mischievous smile and told me she had a hot date with Burton C. Bell, then frontman of Fear Factory. It was classic Tairrie—candid, bold, and unafraid to let her personal life brush against her public persona.

I was also present when Tairrie opened up for and introduced a secret debut of Sepultura with their new singer. On the marquee, Sepultura’s name was disguised as Troops of Doom. Tairrie performed her ass off that night, commanding the stage with volcanic intensity. I was high on cocaine, and when Sepultura launched into the opening riff of “Troops of Doom,” the rhythm tracked perfectly with my heartbeat, fusing the music with my own pulse in a way that felt transcendent. It was one of those moments where the outlaw energy of the scene, the rawness of Tairrie’s performance, and the primal force of Sepultura collided in unforgettable synchronicity. At another concert headlined by Jack Off Jill and Switchblade Symphony, I found myself backstage in a disappointing encounter with Tina Root, who despite once calling me “cool” in an interview, was standoffish and cold. Then Tairrie appeared. Arms wide, voice sharp and affectionate in its outlaw cadence: “Hey motherfucker!” she called out, reclaiming the moment with boldness and warmth, pulling me into one of her trademark squeezns.

That same night, she made a surprise appearance onstage with Jessicka from Jack Off Jill. The two kissed passionately in front of the crowd—not as a stunt, but as an expression of queer solidarity. It was a gesture of unity, defiance, and shared identity, embodying the raw energy of the era while affirming inclusivity and resistance.

Tairrie has always spoken about her career with defiance. She once declared, “Age is meaningless; I have never felt my art came with an expiration date.” She also reclaimed the word bitch as a badge of power, describing herself as “a bitch in total charge of herself.” That ethos runs through her career, from her rap beginnings to her volcanic metal persona. Power of a Woman (1990) established her as one of the first women in gangsta rap. She fronted Manhole, later renamed Tura Satana, then formed My Ruin in 1999. In later years she revisited hip‑hop with tracks like Beware the Crone, infusing witchy Gothic aesthetics into her rhymes. “Sometimes I miss that rapper part of me and the freedom to check a motherfucker with my lyrics,” she admitted, underscoring her refusal to be confined by genre.

Her personal life has been as intertwined with her art as her music. Tairrie and guitarist Mick Murphy married in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in 2008. Their union is both personal and artistic: together they released multiple My Ruin albums, ran their own imprint, and later launched new projects like SWTEVL. After years in Los Angeles, the couple relocated to Knoxville, Mick’s hometown. Tairrie described it as a “life‑changing move” that allowed them to focus intensely on new music. Their 2011 album A Southern Revelation was written in direct response to political and industry betrayals, sharpening her activist streak. “Being that I’m an ex‑rapper, certain things come very easy to me and I have always loved a good ‘dis’ song. I learned to vent my anger in songs very early on,” she explained.

Her forthcoming My Ruin album, Declaration of Resistance, continues this tradition—a protest record against authoritarianism and censorship, created in the shadow of Trump’s presidency. My collaborations with Amelia G and Forrest Black extended beyond Tairrie. Later, they photographed Dina Cancer and Lesli Spivey from Penis Flytrap for my exclusive interview with Dinah. Those sessions reinforced the outlaw aesthetic that runs through this scene. I remain friends with Lesli and Lucifer Fulci to this day, connections that testify to the enduring bonds forged in underground music and art.

After more than a decade of silence, My Ruin—the duo of Tairrie B and Mick Murphy—are back with Declaration of Resistance. Scheduled for release in late 2025, it marks their first full‑length record in twelve years. The album is framed as a protest record, aligning with their belief in free speech, freedom of expression, and freedom from religion. The lead single, Compromised, dropped in October 2025 to coincide with the nationwide #NoKingsProtest, underscoring their commitment to art as activism. Mick Murphy described the release as My Ruin “getting very LOUD” again, inviting fans to join them on a new journey.

From teasing about cookies in a Hollywood coffee house to bat‑winged photo shoots, from surprise backstage hugs to kissing Jessicka onstage in queer solidarity, from rap beginnings to Gothic witchcraft rhymes, from Los Angeles to Tennessee, from collaborations with Dina Cancer and Lesli Spivey to lasting friendships with Lucifer Fulci, and from the secret Sepultura debut where her performance tracked with my own heartbeat, Tairrie B Murphy has always embodied the outlaw archetype. Bold, feminist, uncompromising, and intensely human, she continues to shape her persona into something completely unique. With Declaration of Resistance, she proves once again that her art has no expiration date—and that her outlaw spirit burns brighter than ever.

Essay from Uzoqova Gulzoda

Student of the Primary Education Department,

Faculty of Pedagogy, Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute

Young Central Asian woman with long dark hair and brown eyes in a dark coat over a black top.

Annotation of Profession-Oriented Literature

Annotatsiya

Ushbu maqolada kasbga oid adabiyotlarning mutaxassislarni tayyorlash jarayonidagi o‘rni va ahamiyati yoritilgan. Tadqiqot davomida sohaga tegishli ilmiy va o‘quv adabiyotlar tahlil qilinib, ularning nazariy hamda amaliy jihatlari ko‘rib chiqilgan. Shuningdek, kasbiy bilim va ko‘nikmalarni shakllantirishda adabiyotlardan samarali foydalanish yo‘llari ochib berilgan. Maqola natijalari ta’lim jarayonida va amaliy faoliyatda muhim ahamiyat kasb etadi.

Kalit so‘zlar: Kasb, kasbiy ta’lim, adabiyotlar, mutaxassis, kompetensiya, nazariya, amaliyot, bilim, ko‘nikma, tahlil

Аннотация 

В данной статье рассматривается роль и значение профессиональной литературы в процессе подготовки специалистов. В ходе исследования были проанализированы научные и учебные источники по специальности, раскрыты их теоретические и практические аспекты. Также показаны эффективные способы использования профессиональной литературы в формировании знаний и навыков. Результаты статьи имеют важное значение для образовательной и практической деятельности.

Ключевые слова:Профессия, профессиональное образование, литература, специалист, компетенция, теория, практика, знания, навыки, анализ

Annotation: This article discusses the role and importance of professional literature in the process of training specialists. The study analyzes scientific and educational sources related to the field and reveals their theoretical and practical aspects. In addition, effective ways of using professional literature to develop professional knowledge and skills are highlighted. The results of the article are significant for both educational and practical activities.

Keywords: Profession, professional education, literature, specialist, competence, theory, practice, knowledge, skills, analysis

Introduction

       In today’s rapidly developing society, socio-economic progress has significantly increased the demand for highly qualified and competitive specialists. Therefore, one of the most important tasks of the vocational education system is to train professionals who possess modern knowledge and practical skills. In this process, profession-oriented literature plays a crucial role as a primary source of information. Such literature contributes to enriching theoretical knowledge, developing practical experience, and enhancing professional competencies of specialists.

      Through in-depth study and analysis of scientific, educational, and methodological sources, students and professionals gain access to current developments in their fields, improve independent thinking, and develop problem-solving skills. At the same time, effective use of professional literature creates opportunities for applying innovative approaches in professional activities.

      In modern education, systematic study, selection, analysis, and annotation of profession-oriented literature are of great importance. Annotation allows the main content of a source to be presented concisely and clearly, ensuring clarity and efficiency in scientific work. This helps researchers and learners save time and quickly identify relevant information. This article explores the role of profession-oriented literature in the educational process, the theoretical foundations of annotation, and its practical applications. The analysis of existing literature and evaluation of its effectiveness serve as the basis for improving vocational education, enhancing research quality, and strengthening professional training.

Main Part

      Profession-oriented literature is an essential component of vocational education and specialist training. It enables students and professionals to acquire in-depth theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills, and enhance professional competencies. This type of literature includes scientific monographs, textbooks, учеб manuals, research articles, and methodological guidelines. The selection and systematization of professional literature are particularly important. The relevance, scientific validity, and practical significance of sources directly affect the quality of specialist training. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze literature in each professional field and identify its key ideas and conclusions.

      The process of annotating literature increases the effectiveness of scientific research. Annotation briefly presents the content of a source, revealing its purpose, main focus, and scientific value. Through annotation, researchers can quickly determine the relevance of a source for their studies. This process also develops analytical thinking skills.

      Moreover, the role of modern information technologies in working with profession-oriented literature is steadily increasing. Electronic textbooks, online scientific databases, and digital libraries make the acquisition of professional knowledge more accessible and efficient. These resources expand opportunities for independent learning and continuous knowledge updating. As a result, the quality of education improves, and students develop skills in searching, selecting, and critically evaluating information, which enhances their competitiveness.

      Profession-oriented literature also broadens specialists’ professional outlooks by introducing advanced experiences and modern approaches. Regular engagement with such literature increases professional responsibility and fosters a need for continuous self-development, ultimately leading to more effective professional performance.

      It should be emphasized that annotating professional literature is not merely a process of summarizing information, but an important skill that reflects analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and scientific approach. Through annotation, authors learn to distinguish key ideas from secondary information and present content clearly and concisely. This contributes to the development of scientific communication skills, professional literacy, and independent decision-making abilities.

In addition, profession-oriented literature serves as a reliable foundation for integrating theory with practice in vocational education. Systematic work with professional sources helps students understand real-life professional situations and apply theoretical knowledge effectively. Such literature also supports the development of critical thinking and analytical skills by encouraging comparison, evaluation, and interpretation of different scientific viewpoints. Furthermore, exposure to high-quality professional literature promotes academic integrity and research ethics among students. The use of annotated sources enables learners to navigate large volumes of information more efficiently and select relevant materials for their studies.

      Profession-oriented literature also contributes to lifelong learning by motivating specialists to continuously update their knowledge. As a result, professionals become more adaptable to changes in their field and technological advancements. Consequently, effective use of professional literature enhances the overall quality of vocational education and specialist training.Moreover, profession-oriented literature plays an important role in forming students’ professional identity and motivation toward their future careers. By studying field-specific sources, learners gain a clearer understanding of professional standards and expectations. Such literature helps bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace requirements. 

      In addition, engaging with diverse professional texts improves students’ academic reading and writing skills. Profession-oriented literature also supports evidence-based learning by encouraging the use of verified scientific information. Through regular analysis of professional sources, students develop the ability to justify their ideas with credible references. This process strengthens their problem-solving skills and independent learning capacity. Ultimately, continuous work with professional literature contributes to the formation of competent, responsible, and competitive specialists.

Conclusion

      In conclusion, profession-oriented literature has significant scientific and practical value in the process of specialist training. It contributes to the formation of professional knowledge, skills, and competencies, while the analysis and annotation of literature enhance the quality of scientific research. The study demonstrates that effective use and proper annotation of professional literature increase the efficiency of the educational process and ensure the competitiveness of specialists.

      Annotation develops students’ analytical and critical thinking skills and forms the ability to present scientific information concisely and accurately. It also helps to better understand the structure of scientific works, improving academic literacy among students and researchers. As a result, the overall quality of education is enhanced.

      Furthermore, profession-oriented literature expands specialists’ professional perspectives, introduces advanced experiences and modern approaches, and increases professional responsibility. Continuous engagement with such literature fosters self-development and leads to more effective professional activity. Thus, studying and annotating profession-oriented literature plays a vital role in improving research effectiveness, enhancing educational quality, and strengthening professional competence. Moreover, profession-oriented literature plays an important role in forming students’ professional identity and motivation toward their future careers. By studying field-specific sources, learners gain a clearer understanding of professional standards and expectations.

      Such literature helps bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace requirements. In addition, engaging with diverse professional texts improves students’ academic reading and writing skills. Profession-oriented literature also supports evidence-based learning by encouraging the use of verified scientific information. Through regular analysis of professional sources, students develop the ability to justify their ideas with credible references. This process strengthens their problem-solving skills and independent learning capacity. Ultimately, continuous work with professional literature contributes to the formation of competent, responsible, and competitive specialists.

References

1.Karimov, I.A. High Spirituality Is an Invincible Force. Tashkent: Ma’naviyat, 2008.

2. Abduqodirov, A.A. Methodology of Vocational Education. Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 2016.

3. Yo‘ldoshev, J.G. Pedagogical Technologies. Tashkent: Fan, 2018.

4. Qodirov, B.R. Competency-Based Approach in Education. Tashkent: Innovatsiya, 2020.

5. Salimov, T.X. Research Methodology. Tashkent: Universitet, 2019.

6. Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Education”. Tashkent, 2020.7. Ziyomuhammadov, B. Pedagogical Mastery. Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 2017.

Poetry from James Tian

Young East Asian man in a white coat, red tie, black hair, and reading glasses.

Facing the Sky

The traces she clearly knows,

I may stumble upon by chance.

They need to be covered again,

Most feared—this is a kind of respect.

The wounds she hasn’t fully recognized,

Unintentionally seen by me,

Must remain exposed,

Not feared—this is a kind of impulse.

The purpose is the cycle,

The cycle is the purpose,

I follow the latter more faithfully.

As long as the stars don’t fall,

Let loneliness marry the eyes.