now
i adjusted my attitude
in a quick thought this morning
as i’m one for immediate changes
slowing down new directions
is a waste of time usually
when enthusiasm is exploding in now
i’ve been thinking lately
about how quickly time departs us
another year is now nearing its end
and with the speed that it’s travelling
paired with a major new issue
my life could pass by fast as well
i sit outside under a kind sprawling tree
and chat with a magpie now my friend
we share our dreams with the sky
as the wind blows out tunes
while a parrot watches closely
with interest
in a house nearby i hear people fighting
screaming loud is now not what i need
traffic speeds past me
hip hop music beats blast
a kid dances
and people gather and clap
a skinny guy at a café
who i’m getting to know
says things aren’t too good for him now
i show concern for his angst
so he asks me to sit down
and shows me photos of his cheating lover
a musician and i chat outside of the cafe
and have coffees i buy now’s my shout
we laugh at stories we make up
share some secrets we’ve kept
the skinny guy joins our table
and cries
Stephen House has won many awards and nominations as a poet, playwright, and actor. He’s had 20 plays produced with many published by Australian Plays Transform. He’s received several international literature residencies from The Australia Council for the Arts, and an Asialink India literature residency. He’s had two chapbooks published by ICOE Press Australia: ‘real and unreal’ poetry and ‘The Ajoona Guest House’ monologue. His next book drops soon. He performs his acclaimed monologues widely. Stephen’s play, ‘Johnny Chico’ ran in Spain for 4 years.
Sky in my Chest
I will only sing to you,
Hazan drew my heart.
May my sad lines smile,
Writing my heart because it was written.
I look at you from my poems,
My broken smile slipped from my lips.
I look forward to the days I have seen
I will find a way to every awake soul.
Dead minds don't know me
Anyway, he goes to his carelessness.
They feel a sense of pride,
Relying on malice and ignorance.
The strangeness that makes them old,
Self-indulgent malice.
The rush of time makes me grow,
Simple phrases that teach philosophy.
Years do not spare Latif's face,
One day my autumn will knock on the door.
If I go, from right to left like my living eye,
My living words will miss you!
Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna (February 15, 1973) was born in Uzbekistan. Studied at the Faculty of Journalism of Tashkent State University (1992-1998). She took first place in the competition of young republican poets (1999). Four collections of poems have been published in Uzbekistan: “Leaf of the Heart” (1998), “Roads to You” (1998), “The Sky in My Chest” (2007), “Lovely Melodies” (2013). She wrote poetry in more than ten genres. She translated some Russian and Turkish poets into Uzbek, as well as a book by Yunus Emro. She lived as a political immigrant with her family for five years in Turkey and five years in Ukraine. Currently lives in Switzerland. Married, mother of five children. It was not possible to publish poems and translations written by the poet in the next ten years.
Never Lose Hope: The Inspiring Story of a Cancer Survivor
Emily was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the young age of 28. Her world came crashing down as she heard the news from her doctor. She had always been a health-conscious person and this news shattered her completely.
The first few weeks were tough, Emily underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy sessions. But as time passed, her condition started to deteriorate, and she started to lose hope. She felt like giving up on life altogether.
One day, while lying in bed feeling helpless and hopeless, Emily stumbled upon a quote that said, "Never lose hope, miracles happen every day." These words struck a chord with her and she decided to hold on to hope.
Despite being weak, Emily started going for walks every morning. She would take each day as it came and tried to stay positive amidst all the chaos. Slowly but surely, her condition started improving.
After months of treatment and perseverance, Emily was declared cancer-free! Her journey wasn't easy but she never lost hope. Her story is an inspiration for all those who are going through tough times.
Even when life seems unbearable and everything feels like it's falling apart, remember to never lose hope. Remember that miracles can happen every day if you hold on tightly enough. Keep moving forward one step at a time because you never know what tomorrow may bring!
Author: Makhfiratkhon Abdurakhmonova from Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
Makhfiratkhon Abdurakhmonova, born in 2004 in Uzbekistan, is a remarkable individual with an impressive list of achievements. She has been an International teacher of English for four years and holds various language certifications, including CEFR (UZB)-C1, International ESOL-B2, SAYLOR ACADEMY-C1, and EFSET-C2.
Makhfiratkhon is also a holder of over 70 international certificates and is a member of approximately 35 international organizations. She has completed more than 65 paid courses from international universities and has earned the prestigious IBM $1200 badge. Notably, she completed Arizona State University’s 150-hour TESOL certificate course.
Her academic excellence has led to acceptance into esteemed universities such as North Texas University, Barry University, and St. Johns University. Makhfiratkhon is the recipient of the University Incentive Scholarship.
Aside from her academic pursuits, Makhfiratkhon is a founder of several projects and has participated in around 50 international conferences. She has translated several books and served as a delegate for Asia World Model National Model Offline Conference. Makhfiratkhon also won an International MUN internship and became an ambassador for SGAP Leaders. She is a fellow member of ERU and a member of ISRES.
Makhfiratkhon’s passion for making a difference extends beyond academia. She serves as a Child Rescue Ambassador for IQRA Foundation and a Child Advisor for Glory Future Foundation. Additionally, she is an ambassador for Greenpeace organization and an ACCA member.
She actively participates in various clubs and organizations such as Global Friends Club, IHRC (International Human Rights Commission), FIAG (Foundation for International Affairs and Governance), IAAC (International Association for Advancement in Computing Education), Gurukshetra Foundation, Borsiba International Organization, and INERY.
Makhfiratkhon is also a Global Youth Ambassador and a volunteer for the Movers Program. She has completed courses in TOEFL iBt from the University of California and Food and Health from Stanford University.
Furthermore, Makhfiratkhon has represented Uzbekistan as a delegate for ‘Best Diplomats’ in Thailand, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. She is a volunteer for ‘Quyosh nuri’ and serves as a coordinator for IHRC in Uzbekistan.
Her passion for peace and social initiatives is evident through her role as a Global Peace Ambassador for Iqra Foundation and as the coordinator of Iqra Foundation in Uzbekistan. She is also an ambassador and representative of IHRC in Uzbekistan.
Makhfiratkhon’s dedication to personal development extends to various other areas. She holds two TEFL certificates, is an Independent Travel Manager for Dreamport Company, a VIP member and representative of Borsiba International Organization, and a Global Youth Ambassador for Global Youth Conference Dubai-2023. She also serves as a Country President of Iqra Foundation Global in Uzbekistan, an Ambassador of 21st DigiSkillz, and a Global Education Ambassador.
With her exceptional achievements, Makhfiratkhon Abdurakhmonova embodies the true spirit of ambition, determination, and commitment to lifelong learning. Her contributions to education, humanitarian causes, and global awareness are commendable, making her an inspiration to many aspiring individuals around the world.
young lost men
demons
lost angels left
to dangle in the
wind
they find homes
in the brains of
young lost men
a simple host that
provides everything
a demon needs
until a woman
comes along
some maturing
happens
and then all hell
breaks loose
the rebellion resembles
a prison riot of sorts
and from experience
soften and give in
-----------------------------------------------------------------
be one with your desire
a passing rain
shower
your beauty as
easy as the pain
dance naked in
the shadows
regret, the last
thought that enters
the brain
don't try
just live
be one with
your desire
close your eyes
and let forever
grasp your will
to live
no one knows
the future
even the gods
you talk to every
night before bed
just don't pick
the shortest straw
-----------------------------------------------------------
tennis
do any of your dreams come true
does that beautiful woman ever say hello
do those legs go on for miles and miles
does the moon howl at anything
do the flowers still grow this late in the year
does she ever kiss you goodnight
do the ghosts visit you as well
does this music mean i'm going to hell
do you understand what pain really is
does the drugs even touch your soul
do you know when the game is tonight
does your favorite team ever win
do you ever gamble on cricket
does this poem make any fucking sense
do you even care
does it matter
do you know the answer
does anyone
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
still feels like fucking summer
here come the ghosts, slutty
nurses, witches, ghouls, goblins,
awkward superheroes and red
wagons full of candy
when i was a kid, it was always
cold on halloween
now, it still feels like fucking
summer
just my luck
i'm old, diabetic, and none of
those "cool" costumes will fit
all that candy would probably
kill me anyway
there are certainly days
where i'm willing to take
the chance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
a lost soul that looks like
i see
a young
woman
in glasses
looking
over at
me
i've been
told that
my flirting
is going to
get me
arrested
one day
don't let
these intense,
murderous eyes
fool you
i'm just a lost
soul that looks
like a creep
a child that
was never
loved enough
a poet, a hopeless
romantic that wants
to believe
in a world that
constantly says
no
J.J. Campbell (1976 – ?) is old enough to know where the bodies are buried. He’s been widely published over the years, most recently at The Rye Whiskey Review, Disturb the Universe Magazine, Carcinogenic Poetry, Lothlorien Poetry Journal and Horror Sleaze Trash. You can find him on most days on his mildly entertaining blog, evil delights. (https://evildelights.blogspot.com)
MYSELF
Never ask me, please, who am I myself
Myself is a couple of verses on paper.
My self will save myself, and I hope
For those who left me it is bad news.
Myself is different, differs from me,
Far away from those who are so selfish,
May myself is not visible for everyone,
But myself will never abandon myself.
One day I will go shaking my hand to all,
From the arenas which disappointed me.
I will tear the dress of arrogance myself
Then I will throw it from mountain.
A moment, only a moment is enough
When myself starts a rebel inside me.
I do not wait for a clap from hands,
For me being myself is the greatest honor.
I am never afraid of foxes, no, no,
Even any jury cannot threaten me.
I am so proud of being myself,
I am thankful of God for being me.
Never ask me, please, who am I,
Rather read my poems, read my verses.
BEGINNING
One day I lose my life, it is clear
One day I will return to the Creator.
And all my collected pains and sorrows
I will only retell to my only God.
One day my body will disappear,
Maybe I will be reborn as a basil.
Being happy from my death
One day my haters will have a party.
Passing through alley with silence
I hear all the gossips they tell.
Now my poems will become orphan,
Now I only live in my poems.
But the world remains the same,
Thousand years again it stays still.
All the lies, all the fake faces,
And ignorance in the gene.
All the lips whisper one by one,
Thanks God, I am far away.
Blind souls never recover,
I am not related to earth any more.
The only thing tortures me is
My days that I spent aimless.
And incomplete writings of mine,
My voice that paused on my throat as well.
One day I lose my life, it is clear
One day I will return to the Creator.
Asking God to revive inside of me
I will utter the name of my elder son.
Sharipova Zuhro Sunnatovna (Zahro Shamsiyya) She was born on April 9, 1969 in the Nurata district of the Navoi region. Her first poem was published in 1985 in the Gulhan magazine. Uzbek publishing houses published works in the journal "Sharq Yulduzi", in the literature and art of Uzbekistan - "Ma'rifat", in various regional and district newspapers. World almanacs in Canada, -2017 in Dubai WBA 2018 "Turkish poets of the world" (Buta 3) 2019, "Muhammad Yusuf izdoshlari" 2017 almanac. She published her book "Ismsiz tuigular"
