Poetry from Patricia Doyne

GUNSLINGERS*

Virginia Tech was ripped apart one day.

Students and teachers—total, 32—

were shot and killed. Another dozen wounded.

Don’t blame guns. We all should own a few.

At Sandy Hook, a guy killed 20 kids,

age six and seven. Six staff members, too.

He owned assault rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

Don’t blame guns, Gun ownership’s his due.

A Minnesota man was filming ICE.

ICE shot him in the back ten times, it’s true—

but it was all his fault. His crime? A gun.

A legal gun, a gun he never drew. 

So don’t blame guns for gun-deaths—unless you

are sure the perp’s a bad guy. Might vote Blue. 

*  Events cited:  4/16/07 at Virginia Tech U in Blacksburg, VA;  

1/14/12 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, CONN;

1/24/26 street protest in Minneapolis MINN.


Copyright 1/2026                 Patricia Doyne

Poetry from Opeyemi Oluwayomi

Tomorrow is a million reasons to be alive

After Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto

Today may end without all in my

heart gathered in my hands,

but my heart does not grow

ennui. My heart does not grow

ennui, because I believe in tomorrow

—& I give thanks because I still have

life in me. I believe in tomorrow,

because the sky will be accessible,

again. I will reach for it & it won’t deny

me. I will hover around like birds

& I won’t be deprived of the beauty

of the sky we all own. I believe in

tomorrow, because the sun, too, 

will come again. I will reach for it & it 

won’t deny me. Tomorrow is a promise 

for a dream that never ceases

to show up, like dawn. Tomorrow is a

million reasons to be alive. 

Together we make firewood 

In the beginning was love, & the love was

with us, & the love was us. The same love we were laid upon. We wouldn’t have laid the foundation in the absence of love. And if we do, we will pick our remains, 

scattered all over the earth the day the wind blows. The night a tinge of her love got into me, I had no holes in me, & so, I did not leak like a basket. Instead, I held it close & let it seep into every edge of my soul, for a quiet enrichment of the parts that long for her. I am aware that she has settled in me the same way salt settles in soup. I admit love is a flame because my heart is burning, & I am aware that together we made the firewood. I admit love is as essential as air, because it keeps me whole. Today, as this love burns, let the fire increase day by day, let not our nakedness quench its furnace.

Opeyemi Oluwayomi is a violinist, a graphics designer, a member of Hilltop Creative Art Foundation, a final year English & Literary student of University of Ibadan. His works have appeared or are forthcoming on Eye to the Telescope, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Ink Sweat & Tears, Spillwords, Brittle Paper, Shallow Tales Review, Ekstasis Magazine, Eboquil Magazine, SpringNG, and elsewhere. He was the second-runner-up winner of the Shuzia Poetry Competition, 2023 (Journey of the Soul), shortlisted for IS&T’s Pick of the Month, 2025. He holds NCE in English & Music, from Federal College of Education, Abeokuta. Social media handles: Joseph O. Oluwayomi

Poem from Akramova Sarvinoz

Young Central Asian woman with brown eyes, long straight brown hair, small earrings, and a black coat over a white collared top.

Akramova Sarvinoz Boboyor qizi,

Student of Navoi State University

Orcid ID: 0009-0003-9780-3976

Email: akramovasarvinoz53@gmail.com

Parents

My father is my mountain-strong support,
My mother, a river of love and joy.
While they are here, the world shines bright,
From them are born my love and delight.

My father’s labor is patience and might,
My mother’s prayer — the greatest light.
From two pure hearts, love was made,
A lifelong torch that lights my way.

Their words are lessons, their glances — bliss,
In every breath, their traces exist.
While they are here, the world shines bright,
From them are born my love and delight.

Essay from Abduhamidova Nihola

(Young Central Asian woman with long dark hair in a ponytail, small earrings and a long white necklace, and a deep purple coat over a collared white top)

METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE EFFECTIVE USE OF MULTIMEDIA TOOLS IN LITERATURE LESSONS

Abduhamidova Nihola

Namangan State Pedagogical Institute

Master’s Student, Uzbek Language and Literature

Abstract

This article examines the methodological and organizational foundations for the effective integration of multimedia tools in literature education. It highlights the pedagogical potential of multimedia technologies in developing students’ literary and aesthetic worldview, fostering critical thinking, and increasing learning motivation. Based on theoretical analysis and practical teaching experience, the study offers methodological recommendations for literature teachers on the purposeful use of modern digital resources in classroom instruction.

Keywords: literature education, multimedia technologies, interactive lessons, teaching methodology, instructional effectiveness, digital learning tools

Introduction

In recent years, the rapid digital transformation of education has necessitated the adoption of innovative teaching strategies. Within the context of literature education, the effective use of multimedia tools plays a crucial role in developing students’ artistic thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, and interpretive skills. Traditional teacher-centered methods are increasingly being supplemented by digital technologies that enhance lesson interactivity and student engagement (Ahmedova, 2020).

Modern educational practice emphasizes transforming learners from passive recipients of information into active participants in the learning process. Multimedia technologies—such as audio, video, images, animations, and interactive texts—create a multisensory learning environment that supports deeper comprehension and long-term retention. These tools enable students to visualize historical and cultural contexts, analyze literary texts more effectively, and establish emotional connections with literary works (Karimova, 2019).

For instance, presenting scenes from Abdullah Qodiriy’s Bygone Days through film adaptations, historical maps, or visual illustrations allows learners to better understand the social and cultural realities of the depicted period. Audio recordings of literary texts, digital books, infographics, and interactive quizzes further accommodate diverse learning styles and promote learner-centered instruction.

Methodological Approaches to Using Multimedia in Literature Lessons

The effective integration of multimedia tools in literature classes requires systematic methodological planning at all stages of the lesson. The following instructional framework is recommended:

Preparation Phase: Introducing background information through short videos, presentations, or infographics related to the author, historical period, or literary movement.

Presentation Phase: Combining text reading with multimedia resources such as documentaries, author interviews, thematic video clips, or visual illustrations.

Consolidation Phase: Reinforcing learning through interactive activities, including online quizzes, digital storytelling, group discussions, or collaborative multimedia tasks.

Assessment Phase: Evaluating learning outcomes using online tests, multimedia project presentations, peer assessment, and reflective digital portfolios.

This structured approach supports differentiated instruction and enhances students’ analytical, interpretive, and creative abilities.

Pedagogical and Theoretical Foundations

Audiovisual and Multimodal Pedagogy

Audiovisual education emphasizes the combined use of visual and auditory stimuli to improve comprehension and memory retention. Multimodal instruction enables learners to process information through multiple channels, increasing engagement and understanding.

Active and Constructivist Learning

Research demonstrates that active learning strategies—where students discuss, analyze, and interact with content—significantly improve academic performance compared to traditional lecture-based methods. Constructivist learning theory suggests that multimedia tools facilitate active knowledge construction, particularly through collaborative projects and digital storytelling.

Cognitive Load and Multimedia Design

According to Cognitive Load Theory, well-designed multimedia materials that integrate relevant visuals, narration, and text can enhance learning without overloading students’ working memory. Effective multimedia instruction minimizes extraneous information and presents content in a clear, sequential manner.

Evidence of Multimedia Effectiveness

Empirical studies across educational disciplines confirm that multimedia-based instruction improves learner motivation, comprehension, and academic performance. In literature education specifically, the use of films, animations, presentations, and audio recordings has been shown to increase students’ interest in literary texts and deepen their understanding of themes, characters, and stylistic features (Mamarasulova, 2021).

Activities such as dramatizing literary scenes, listening to poetry performances, or creating student-produced videos encourage creativity and critical thinking. These practices shift learners from passive consumers of content to active creators, which is essential for effective literature instruction.

Best-Practice Methodological Strategies

Alignment of Tools and Objectives: Multimedia tools should be selected according to lesson goals—for example, digital storytelling for narrative analysis, interactive quizzes for formative assessment, and infographics for collaborative interpretation.

Scaffolding and Media Literacy: Students should be guided in both technical skills and critical analysis of multimedia content to support deeper literary understanding.

Differentiation and Accessibility: Subtitles, adjustable pacing, and multiple content formats should be used to accommodate diverse learning needs and promote inclusive education.

Assessment and Evaluation: Clear rubrics should be developed to assess literary interpretation, multimedia literacy, creativity, and collaboration.

Conclusion

The integration of multimedia tools into literature teaching creates a dynamic and student-centered learning environment that effectively combines traditional and modern pedagogical approaches. When used purposefully and methodologically, multimedia technologies enhance instructional quality, support diverse learners, and foster deeper literary comprehension.

To achieve these outcomes, literature teachers must develop both subject-matter expertise and digital pedagogical competence. Multimedia tools should function as enriching instructional resources aligned with educational objectives rather than as replacements for fundamental teaching methods. Thoughtful and systematic use of multimedia ensures meaningful, engaging, and effective literature education in the digital age.

Poetry from Dilafro’z Sultanova

Young Central Asian woman with dark curly hair, brown eyes, and a floral top.

Beleever 

They say it is useless, some people say 

They say it will never heal anyway

But, there are some who do not believe in Beleever

And some are waiting, hoping it will fail forever

From a company in Japan,

From Shisiyado Siyako’s hand.

From Marjon Calcium’s harmony,

It opens the door to healthy destiny.

Beleever, Beleever, oh Beleever,

We truly love you forever.

Beleever, Beleever, oh Beleever,

With you our lives are healthier.

Some have already been cured,

Some have risen, their strength secured.

Many found joy and a brand-new start,

Some are eager to drink with heart.

Some cannot reach the product’s way,

But those who drink are healed each day.

Some expected death in despair,

But found new life and fresh air.

Some passed with honor, that is true,

But many still love Beleever too.

Beleever, Beleever, oh Beleever,

We truly love you forever.

Beleever, Beleever, oh Beleever,

With you our lives are healthier.

Dilafro‘z Sultanova, daughter of Azimboy, was born in 1996 in the To‘rtko‘l district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. She stepped into the world of literature in 2025 and has since emerged as a prolific and dedicated creative writer. To date, she is the author of thousands of literary works and the holder of several international certificates.

Her creative portfolio is diverse, encompassing quotes, monologues, life-based stories, poems, and traditional ghazals. Through her writing, she reflects deep emotional insight and a strong connection to real-life experiences. Several of her poems are currently being adapted into songs, marking a new stage in her artistic journey and highlighting the growing recognition of her work.

Poetry from Dmitriy Kogan

I write from the gutter
I write from the gutter
my poems
belong in a trash fire
and even if I had the choice
to write from an ivory tower
my legs couldn’t climb it
they’d give out
at the first step

Art snobs and theater kids
Art snobs and theater kids
always rubbed me the wrong way
and I still don’t understand
90% of the poems I read in journals
even though I write them, too

beauty isn’t made
by people with an education

when a bum on the street
throws up on the sidewalk
that’s real art

If you can play
If you can play the guitar
you can make someone else happier
when they’re down on their luck
and need a good tune to keep 
them from
drowning 
in a river
of sadness

I like cheese
I like cheese
I always liked cheese
because mice eat cheese
and I’m quiet like a mouse

Mean like the grinch
Mean like the grinch
Bitter like Scrooge
Sour like Mencken
Bah
humbug

—-

Dmitriy Kogan is a short story writer, poet, and essayist from Staten Island, New York. His work has appeared in The Beatnik Cowboy, The Rye Whiskey Review, Oddball Magazine, and A Thin Slice of Anxiety.

Poetry from Dr. Fernando Martinez Alderete

Middle aged Latino man with a black beanie and binoculars, wearing a white shirt and black pants.

The Echo of Your Light

I don’t seek you in the stars, nor in the breeze,
For the map of my world is you alone,
A sanctuary of moments and of peace,
Where my soul finds rest and light is shown.
Your laughter is the rhyme that fits just right,
The language that I feel, yet cannot speak,
A mystic compass, steady and so bright,
Guiding me to the love that I once sought.
If time were only sand held in my palm,
I’d stop the clock right there within your gaze,
To turn the distant days into a calm,
Eternal present that will never fade.
Because loving you is not just how I feel,
It is the way I choose to walk my part:
With your name as a breath that makes it real,
And a home that always beats within your heart.

Fernando Josè Martìnez Alderete

Mexico

The Center of Everything

Beyond the noise and the rising tide,
where time no longer holds its sway,
there is a corner where souls reside:
in the heart of life, far away.
​There, peace is not a hollow dream,
but the pulse that guides the way;
in that calm center, a steady beam,
where all my shadows fade to gray.

Reflection in Your Eyes

I seek no stars in the cold night sky,
nor treasures that time will eventually take,
the flow of your river is enough for me
and the peace that your hand will make.
​You are the silence that calls my name,
the light that makes my journey clear;
if the world is a dance of shadows and flame,
you are my light and my fate, my dear.

Dr. Fernando Martinez Alderete

Writer, poet, theater actor, radio producer. Born in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico on April 21, 1977, President of Mil Mentes por México in Guanajuato. Dr. HC, global leadership and literature.

His poems are published in more than 200 anthologies in 15 countries around the world and he is the author of ten books of poetry, short stories and novels.