LOVE IS OUR SONG
Love as we know it is our song
The music fills our souls with life
It flows with each breath in perfect pitch
You come alive with each new verse
For me you gave up your solo
You sacrificed it for us as a single note
Your title became mine and mine yours
Burning in love forever is our anthem
Our memories are as many as the stars
We spend many nights in unison
Our love will be forever heard
Like a symphony that plays through the ages
And I hear it each time I look in your eyes.
Kristy Ann Raines is an American poet and author born in Oakland, California, USA. Kristy has five books which will soon be published. One anthology with a prominent poet from India, Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai, will launch sometime in October 2023 called, “I Cross my Heart from East to West.” She has also written two fantasy books entitled, “Rings, Things and Butterfly Wings” and “Princess and The Lion”, a collection of poems in English,” Walking Without You”, a collection in French, “Little Rose Poetry”, and one in Arabic called, “Jasmine and Roses", to be released in the future. Kristy has received many literary awards for her unique style of writing.
Melody of the Soul
The melody of the soul has a sound,
Sublime vibrations that cannot be seen by the human eye
Music conveys lofty thoughts that touch other people's hearts.
I don't know the melody of my heart,
I write about God and I know that such topics are heard far and wide
When many people tell me that my words touched them,
Through the poem, through my words and the image of a smiling
Maya I know that I am fulfilling my goal.
The song sings for me and the whole world hears it.
It doesn't matter that I don't know the melody of my soul because
I am surrounded by people who love me
And send me hearts and huge bouquets of roses.
Maja Milojković was born in 1975 in Zaječar, Serbia. She is a person to whom from an early age, Leonardo da Vinci's statement "Painting is poetry that can be seen, and poetry is painting that can be heard" is circulating through the blood. That's why she started to use feathers and a brush and began to reveal the world and herself to them. As a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and foreign literary newspapers, anthologies and electronic media, and some of her poems can be found on YouTube. Many of her poems have been translated into English, Hungarian, Bengali and Bulgarian due to the need of foreign readers. She is the recipient of many international awards. "Trees of Desire" is her second collection of poems in preparation, which is preceded by the book of poems "Moon Circle". She is a member of the International Society of Writers and Artists "Mountain Views" in Montenegro, and she also is a member of the Poetry club "Area Felix" in Serbia.
The world is created with the blend of love and beauty, sorrow and suffering, joy and defeat. We, the human beings are to live with the mixture of all the natural aspects of life within and outside the world. And music is such a type of art that reflects what we see and feel in and outside the surroundings. Again the experience in life is different from the different person of the world regarding its culture, society, geography and demand of likes and dislikes.
As a Banglalee I do have my own style of life that may have difference from the others regarding its choice of food, culture, speech, life style etc. But the feeling of joy and sorrow is the same all over the world. So, when the tune starts with its rhythm whether it is joy or sorrow it approaches the same to the whole world. There are so many songs in Bangladesh such as folk songs, modern songs, pop songs, etc.
Our English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in his poem "To a Skylark" says, "Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought." Shelley is an optimistic poet. I feel the same but I do have more interest in the love tone of music or song. We would not like to extend our pain listening to the painful songs though many of us may have the desire to listen to such types of the music. But in this short living world I feel so excited to the music of love that makes us all living in touch of this love feeling and take us to move for living in a peaceful world.
One night many years ago when I was a student of honors class at Rajshahi, I had already gone to sleep in my room. Suddenly a sweet tone of music with a sweet voice of love reached my ear and it acted in my heart so fast and stimulated my brain. I felt so excited that I would like to listen again and again but it stopped. I became maddened for my love but no way. The whole night I passed with uneasiness and excitement that I cannot forget even now at the moment.
Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
28 September, 2023
About Technology
In a world of wires, screens, and code,
Technology's path we boldly strode.
From the wheel's invention to the internet's birth,
It's reshaped our lives, for all its worth.
From smart phones small to satellites high,
Technology soars through the sky.
Bringing us closer, tearing down walls,
In this digital age, it enthralls.
But caution we must exercise as we progress,
For technology's power, we must assess.
With great innovation comes great responsibility,
To shape a future of endless possibility
So let us embrace this digital age,
With wisdom, compassion, and courage engage.
For in technology's heart, the future's key,
To build a world where all can be free.
Tanvir Islam is a student of grade 9 in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.
Music
Music is an art,
It gives us emotional exult.
Music is the part and parcel in our life.
Which charmed our mind as reef.
It can expose our intention.
It also influences the deliberation.
Music is on of the beauty of nature,
We can enjoy it everywhere.
Nature's sound is one kinds of music.
The sound of birds mesmerizes us,
The sound of flowing river.
The quiet sound of trees,
The sound of the All wind-
All makes our mind flutter.
When I sing songs,
All the feelings of my mind
Slowly come out.
Singing and listening to music,
One of my hobbies.
When 1 listen to music,
I fell as if I entered a deep fantasty.
Whether it is believable or not
But, no lives without that.
Music removes our inferiority complex.
It brings peace to our mind.
The reality of life emerges through the music.
20/09/2023 Technology
Wherever we look,
We see the variety of technology.
Technology is the best in the world now.
There is no end to it.
Computer is a popular technology.
There is no end to its expansion.
Life is tangent without technology.
This is why, life is better.
Where earlier agricultural technology was underdeveloped.
But today, it has improved greatly.
Technology is preventing us from wasting time.
Also increasing the importance of time.
The world is now at our fingertips.
Thanks to the mobile phone technology.
We are enjoying a bliss equivalent to heaven.
Basically, technology is our life now.
24/09/23
Nurujjaman is a student of grade 9 in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.
A Toy Snake
One day I was walking down the street. Looking ahead a bit, I saw a snake coming behind me. Where I went, the snake also went. I was going to my friend's house but it followed me. I didn't see the snake when I went to sleep at night and I thought it would not come again. But I woke up in the morning and saw the snake next to my bed. One day it didn't come with me anymore. I looked for the snake but could not find it. After two months the snake came again. In an accident that snake was ran over by a truck. Later I found out that the snake was a toy snake. The snake was exactly like a real snake. Everything is possible with the digital technology.
Abdullah Al Mamun is a student of grade 7 in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.
First of all, an announcement: I (editor Cristina Deptula) am going to be providing accessibility support on Zoom for Art and Mind 2023, which is an amazing virtual showcase of art, music and writing centered on BIWOC creators and how their art helps them heal themselves and others. All are welcome and this is Thursday, October 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 EST (New Hampshire time).
“Art & Mind,” is a virtual Zoom disability-accessible film event series supporting creative marginalized women and marginalized genders to share their journeys. This event uses short films, documentaries, entrepreneur features, and speaking engagements from professionals such as therapists and activists to raise awareness about social issues these creatives face.
Tickets are free but they accept donations towards the fund they are developing to give artist grants to low-income BIWOC artists. They have a $1000 fundraising goal and so far have reached $711.
I’ve known the mother and daughter pair, Amaranthia and Claire, who are organizing this show, for several years through the art and writing world. They put a lot of heart and thought and research into this, and I encourage you to come see it!
Also, our October issue will have the theme of Electronica: Sound Medicine, edited by Kahlil Crawford, and will encompass themes of electronic music, music in general, the intersection of music and writing and other forms of art, and writing/music/art/technology. Submissions related to the above themes that touch on Indigenous People’s Day in mid-October are also welcomed. Please submit to synchchaos@gmail.com with “Electronica” in the title.
Third, our contributor Mantri Pragada Markandeleyu seeks a songwriter with whom to collaborate to set his Bollywood-style lyrics to music! Here is his information if you are interested.
Finally, we at Synchronized Chaos Magazine acknowledge that as well as artists and writers and creatives, we are members of the broader human community. And right now the community is affected by the earthquake in Morocco and the flooding in Libya. We express our sorrow at the loss of life and property and encourage people to contribute if they can towards the relief and recovery efforts. Information on how to do that here.
This issue’s theme is This Mortal Coil. A reference from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where the titular character considers whether to continue his life, the phrase has come to signify the struggles and complexities of life.
In this issue, our contributors illustrate and grapple with various physical and psychological aspects of existence, or nonexistence.
Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa shares a basic universal statement: how we all face death and need love. Maja Milojkovic’s pieces call us to remember who we really are, at a personal and universal level.
Mark Young ponders physical aging and mortality in a piece inspired by a lizard, which he wrote as a teen and reflected on in his older age. Grzegorz Wroblewski reminds us to enjoy life while we can, as it’s impermanent.
Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna encourages faith and trust over the ups and downs of life. Mirta Liliana Ramirez asserts her existence and place in this world while acknowledging her Creator for animating her spirit.
Jim Meirose’s surreal story conveys the unease of losing control over one’s body and mind during surgery. Filip Zubatov relates a common struggle, failing in one’s best-laid plans to wake up early. Ari Nystrom Rice narrates an experience of insomnia.
Skye Preston’s poignant piece on a flightless bird speaks to how disabilities can cut to the heart of our identity and self-perception. Kendall Snipper presents a person’s spiritual death due to their self-doubt.
Cody Tse’s speaker compares himself to a floor covered by a decorative rug: useful rather than ornamental, but often overlooked. Mary Acosta speaks to the pain of being forgotten and unheard.
Celeste Alisse writes of the struggle to be heard and seen, the lengths we go to in performing and sharing our pain in order to be noticed. Zofia Mosur expresses her rage at being trapped in a world not of her choosing and blamed for problems not of her creation, as well as the common artist’s angst at not meeting her own standards.
Daniel Aondona relates his physical, embodied grief at living in a war-torn country. Zahro Shamsiyya looks outward at the multitude of sorrows concealed by night within her city of Tashkent, and the whole world.
Taylor Dibbert describes confused, alienated travelers just returning to the airport after long periods of isolation, playing the role of clueless Americans. Sayani Mukherjee’s poem shares her love for Paris, spring, and the color pink.
Brian Barbeito sketches his observations of Vegas, focusing in on various individuals at a physical and spiritual level. In his photography, he evokes the spirit of places with basic natural elements, clouds and water and light.
Mahbub Alam writes of growth from the refreshing natural nourishment of rain. Vandana Kumar recollects the endless rain of last winter in her lament. J.D. Nelson notices the imminent passage of summer into fall.
Don Bormon illustrates the glory and majesty of trees. Channie Greenberg splashes the screen with her colorful flowers.
Isabel Gomez de Diego contributes somewhat domestic scenes of cows, pans, and fish. Daniel De Culla’s photographs, which include taxidermied boar’s heads, juxtapose reminders of wildness with indoor calm and prettiness.
Marley Manalo observes nature closely, wanting to be seen at the same level of detail rather than just enjoyed as a pretty object.
Alma Ryan’s poem speaks to the simple joys of surfing and togetherness. Kristy Raines evokes a deep and emotional love connection while Graciela Noemi Villaverde expresses the hope of reunion with a loved one after long absence in pieces laden with nature imagery. Anindya Paul’s love for nature and for other people meld into one and the same feeling, while Gustavo Galliano exalts the mystical and physical communion of lovers amid the clouds and the deep night. Annie Johnson also describes long term communion with a partner and with nature. Mesfakus Salahin encourages a lover to return so they can together bring light to the world.
Fay Loomis’ Bali travelogue shares how she started to let go of rigid expectations (her own and others) and embraced a softer, more dreamlike and natural schedule.
Patrick Sweeney’s little vignettes also slip the bounds of rationality, merging the familiar with the outlandish or cataclysmic.
Jerry Durick conveys the surreal experience of reading, of imagining oneself as someone else, shifting one’s sense of time and place. Gabriel Flores Benard illuminates the flickering and transitory life of a fictional character, existing only in our imperfect memories. Monira Mahbub wishes for a variety of natural and fanciful things in her short but evocative poem.
Peter Cherches’ stories probe the familiarity and mystery of neighbors. How well do we know the people we think we know, whom we see every day?
Grant Guy’s nearly nihilistic black-and-white humorous pieces point out the potential absurdities in artistic expression, in contrast to the often explicitly meaningful and message-centric art outlined in Alec Dunn and Josh MacPhee’s Journal of International Political Graphics, reviewed here by A. Iwasa.
Mykyta Ryzhykh’s modernist, absurdist lowercase poetry reminds us there is life in the midst of death, ugliness in the midst of beauty.
Robert Ronnow’s poetic speakers peruse their complex natural and human landscapes, classifying and observing, speculating on their place in the world and how they should live.
Muhammad Ehsan Khan suggests in his essay that compassion and wise and considerate actions begin with empathy.
Nurujjaman writes of the development of character, will, and perseverance. Iftikhar Zaman Ononno talks about what it takes to be a good citizen. Tanvir Islam describes a deep connection with a true friend.
Mantri Pragada Markandeyulu shares wisdom on developing character and inner peace. His story “Vishal and the Evil King,” reminds those in power that duty to those they govern is more important than their own fleeting sensual pleasures.
Pascal Lockwood-Villa’s poetry illustrates how one’s childhood experiences cast a long shadow over who we are. For this reason, several authors highlight the consideration we should show for children and young people.
Tasirul Islam looks into how to be a good teacher. Mustafayeva Feride urges teachers to show care and dedication for students. Abdullah Al-Mahin reminds us not to underestimate the contributions young people make to our world.
Abdullah Al Mamun offers love and thanks to his mother. Mr. Ben’s book The Darn Things Kids Say includes children’s candid thoughts about their parents. Rasheed Olayemi puts out a call to help struggling widows, especially those with young children.
Sabrid Jahan Mahin illustrates the personal and intellectual growth that can come through reading.
Andrea N. Carr encourages young adults, and all people, to follow one’s dreams and carefully select those who will advise us. Asadova Sabina highlights the importance of setting goals in life.
Ali Haider’s story demonstrates how laziness and revenge can have evil consequences. Stephen Bruce wryly points out how we escape responsibility by blaming our choices and circumstances on others and bad luck.
Guzal Botirova reminds us that the highest profession and calling is being a good and considerate human.
Akhlima Ankhi’s poem is a lament over global climate change and human degradation of the natural world. Nahyean Bin Khalid’s time travel story illustrates the risk of technological advancement without parallel advancement in our humanity and conscience, including our treatment of the environment. At the same time, Adhamova Laylo Akmaljon qizi reminds us that technology, when properly used, can be interesting, with her description of how a television set works.
Mahmudul Hasan Fahim’s horror story poses the existential threat of zombies, and probes what dies inside of you when you become the kind of person who can easily kill them.
J.J. Campbell writes of his isolation, his inspirations, and how memory can be a curse. Jerry Langdon’s poetic pieces reflect his speakers’ desire to escape their lives and free themselves from memories of past violent trauma.
Sukhrob Saidov also deals with historical memory, reviewing the documentary “Before Stonewall” and its articulation of LGBT history and journey towards equality.
Z.I. Mahmud traces Jane Eyre’s character development in the eponymous novel, which, unusually for its time, highlighted the journey of a regular person as having literary merit and being memorialized.
Elmaya Jabbarova’s piece comes from a one-time lover urging a former partner to remember the good times they shared. Ahmad Al-Khatat’s romantic poems also commingle love and memory, mixing loss and grief, reconnection and longing.
Duane Vorhees speaks to romance, wisdom, aging, learning, and spirituality.
Tolipova Zebuniso Ulug’bekovna concludes the issue with a simple poem with her wishes on how she would like to be remembered. We hope that this issue provokes and inspires thoughts of a similar nature for all of our readers.
