Tear Time
1.
I think it’s time
to acknowledge
ticking of the clock.
2.
Heart rate of all our hearts
thumping against
bump of the world.
3.
We might be doomed
in a battle
with no chance to stop.
4.
Hollywood fakes
pop guns shooting
starting bubblegum armies.
5.
Earthquakes signaling
volcanoes spitting
where they want.
6.
Thunder and lightning
opening our eyes
praying for the good help of God.
A World with One Shortcoming
Winter… Everything was covered in white snow. The leaves of the trees had long since fallen in autumn. Now, their branches were adorned with snow. Birds that loved warmth had flown to other lands. Ra’no sister, as always, was busy with housework. Her husband was not at home. It had been 20 years since they started living together. However, they had no children. Every night, Ra’no sister would raise her hands in prayer, pleading Allah for a child. Her husband, unable to bear their childlessness, drank alcohol every day, drowning his sorrow in it. Finally, today was a joyous day. Ra’no sister’s prayers had been answered. Allah blessed them with a baby girl. Ra’no sister’s happiness was boundless. She was so delighted that she named her daughter Sevinch (Joy). She cherished her daughter dearly. Unfortunately, Asror bro was not pleased. He was disappointed because a daughter had been born instead of a son. But Ra’no sister paid no attention to his reaction.
Several years passed. The girl turned six. Now, she had become more aware of the world around her. Her mother pampered her a lot. Whenever the little girl played, her mother would drop everything and play with her like a child. If Sevinch laughed, her mother laughed with her; if she cried, Ra’no sister would cry even harder. Maybe because she became a mother later in life, she was extremely protective of her daughter and did not trust anyone with her. If her daughter felt even the slightest pain, the world would feel suffocating for Ra’no sister.
One day, they went to the market. The little girl stopped in front of the toys and started begging her mother: “Mommy, I really like this toy. Please buy it for me, please, please!”
Unfortunately, Ra’no sister did not have enough money left to buy the doll. That night, the girl went to sleep feeling disappointed. But her mother did not sleep. She took a scarf, which she usually wore on special occasions, and made a doll for her daughter. She crafted it so beautifully that anyone who saw it would be delighted. Finally, Sevinch reached school age. Her mother told her father about it. But Asror bro responded: “She will not go to school. Instead, she should help you with household chores. Will studying bring me the world?”
However, Ra’no sister did not want her daughter to remain illiterate like herself. She wanted her only source of happiness in this world to be just as good as everyone else. So, despite her husband’s wishes, she sent her daughter to school. Just as she had hoped, Sevinch became the top student in her class. But as she grew older, she started to hurt her mother’s heart more and more. She became irritated by her mother’s kindness and often snapped at her. One day, when her teacher invited Ra’no sister to a parent-teacher meeting, her beloved daughter coldly said: “I am ashamed of you and the clothes you wear. Don’t come to the meeting!” Then she slammed the door and left. That day, Ra’no sister cried a lot. True, she had money, but she saved every bit of it for her daughter and never spent a single penny on herself. Yet, when Sevinch returned home, Ra’no sister hid her sadness and welcomed her with a warm smile, just like always.
Asror bro, however, still hadn’t quit drinking. That night, he came home drunk again and started beating Ra’no sister. Their neighbors barely managed to save her. Sevinch had grown tired of such fights. She wanted to leave that place far behind. So, after graduating from school, she applied to a university in a distant city.
The happiest news was that she was accepted with a full scholarship. Now, she would live in the city. Her parents came to see her off. For the first time in his life, her father embraced her and handed her a phone he had bought for her. Her mother, on the other hand, couldn’t stop crying. She didn’t want to part with a piece of her heart. But her daughter, her life, had to go.
Sevinch arrived in the city. As she was unpacking her belongings, she noticed a large sum of money. Her mother had given her all the money she had saved, sacrificing her own needs for her daughter.
Sevinch quickly adapted to city life. In fact, she even fell in love with a young man. He loved her deeply as well. One day, he proposed to her, and she said “yes.” Now, it was time for their families to meet.
Finally, the day arrived, but the young man’s mother opposed the marriage because Sevinch came from a poor family. Their family was wealthy and well-off. Hearing this, Sevinch stood up and left in tears. But her unfortunate mother couldn’t bear to see her daughter’s pain. She went to the young man’s mother, begged her, and even fell to her knees, pleading for their happiness. At last, the woman agreed to the marriage—but on one condition. Neither the girl’s father nor mother should ever bother them, and they must not even attend the wedding. Left with no choice, the mother accepted the condition—for the sake of her daughter’s happiness. Not long after, the young couple’s wedding took place. Keeping her promise, Ra’no sister never disturbed them. But is there any greater pain for a mother than being separated from her child?
Unfortunately, her suffering did not end there—it only deepened. Her husband passed away. True, he had not been a good man, but he was still her companion in life. Breaking her promise, Ra’no opa called her daughter and told her that her father had died. Sevinch rushed to the funeral, but she felt neither love nor sorrow for him. The reason was simple: Asror bro had never been a father to her. He had never given her love. Less than a year later, Ra’no sister’s joy—her only child, Sevinch—was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was admitted to the hospital. She had only one month left to live. Ra’no sister set off for the city to see her daughter, crying endlessly, nearly losing her mind. On the way, she thought about life… and why this world is always missing something.
POETRY WIND IN ADANA – AZERBAIJAN POET
TARANE TURAN RAHIMLI PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CUKUROVA POETRY DAYS.
On the date when poetry day is celebrated all over the world, the Turkic world experienced a double holiday joy and celebrated Nawruz holiday and World Poetry Day together. On this significant date, the winds of poetry blew in Adana, which is considered the ancient Turkish land and the oldest literary monument of the Turkic peoples, and is mentioned in the epic “Bilgamys”. The fact that world poets came together in Adana to celebrate the poetry holiday once again declared the victory of culture over all values.
Azerbaijani poet, literary critic, doctor of philology, associate professor Tarana Turan Rahimli participated in the 1st International Cukurova Poetry Days event dedicated to World Poetry Day held at Cukurova University in Adana, Turkey on March 20-21.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Literature Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Kargagöllü emphasized that poetry is a force that unites cultures. He noted that the World Poetry Days, the first of which was held at Cukurova University, bring together hearts full of poetry and will have a serious impact on national literature, university life, and the spiritual education of students. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Karga Gollu congratulated the poets, literary critics, scholars, and poetry lovers participating in the event on the occasion of World Poetry Day.
At the “International Cukurova Poetry Days” event organized for the first time this year in cooperation with Adana Metropolitan Municipality, Cukurova University and Altın Koza, poet Shirin Zaferyıldızı Zaimagaoglu, Head of the Culture Department of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, made a speech and drew attention to the fact that poetry is a force that “improves and unites hearts”. She addressed the hall with the slogan “In these days when our hope of creating a world like poetry is decreasing, be like poetry, raise your children with poetry, do not be left without poetry” and read her poems.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Faruk Karadag, despite being a physicist by profession, aroused special sympathy among the participants of the event with his love for poetry, sensitivity to the art of words, as well as his excellent speech as a man of letters. The Dean of the Faculty noted that such literary events will leave a deep mark in the memory of young students and will contribute to the scientific and literary cultural life of the university.
The first event of the 1st International Cukurova Poetry Days, which began on Thursday, March 20 at the Cukurova University Congress Center, featured scientific lectures dedicated to Ashıg Veysel, musical works, and folk art exhibits. Stands featuring the works of poets invited to the event from various countries were also set up, and they signed their books for readers at their stands.
The first day of the 1st International Cukurova Poetry Days was entirely dedicated to folk poetry. On the second day, traditional and modern poetry was demonstrated at the Mithat Ozsan Amphitheater of Cukurova University on March 21, World Poetry Day. At the 1st International Cukurova Poetry Days event, attended by scholars, poets, and ashiqs from various countries, poet, literary critic, and doctor of philological sciences Tarana Turan Rahimli spoke and read her poems at the poetry days held under the title “Traditional and Modern Poetry” on the occasion of March 21, World Poetry Day. She noted in her speech: “There is a saying that beauty will save the world. In my opinion, the highest beauty is poetry, because it can deeply affect the human heart and soul, touch the most delicate strings of our hearts, and renew consciousness. Therefore, poetry will save the world. Literary friendships will strengthen the friendship of peoples and lead humanity to the path of peace. Poetry has just such a power.”
Tarana Turan Rahimli’s poems, written with the excitement of victory brought by the 44-day Patriotic War, as well as those on the subject of Turkism and Turanism, were met with love and sympathy from the audience. The sad and sorrowful verses of the poem “Today is the tenth day” about the February 6 earthquake, which is considered the tragedy of the century and devastated cities in Turkey, evoked deep emotions as a clear example of the unity of the two peoples in good and bad, and the brotherhood of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Turkish poet and researcher, Prof. Dr. Metin Turan, added a special color to the event with his report on “Anatolian folk poetry today”, literary talks and poems.
Prof. Dr. Salahaddin Bekki, Prof. Dr. Refiye Okushluk Shenesen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Tarhan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Shenesen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Karakash, Dr. Zekiye Chagimlar made interesting scientific presentations at the panel titled “Following the Tradition of Ashıg Poetry”.
Ashıg Madani Karataş and Ozan Dertli Polat’s exchanges were met with loud applause from the audience. Shentürk İyidogan, who brought Ashıg Veysel’s saz to the stage and expressed it with love and artistic responsibility, and gave the sacred trust in his hands with his performance, amazed the participants.
Poet and translator Aytekin Karacachoban attracted the attention of the participants with her deeply philosophically meaningful poems and artistic translations from French. French poets and translators Sylwain Cavailies and Claire Lajus recited their poems in both French and Turkish. Claire Lajus, a teacher at Istanbul University, highlighted her influence on the lives of Turkish youth with her research and pedagogical activities, while Sylwian Cavailies highlighted her contributions to the turbulent life of Turkey with her translations. The clear and clear speech of both French poets in Turkish was met with special appreciation. Well-known poets Nisa Leyla, Demet Duyuler, Taner Cindoruk, Haydar Unal, Bilge Karga, Seval Arslan, Duran Aydın, Bahar Faris, Ayfer Karakaş, İlhan Kemal, M.Demirel Bahacanoglu, Mustafa Ozke, Durmus Ali Ozkale, Neslihan Daglı, Ruhan Mavruk, Hulya Bashak Ekmekçi recited their poems. At the end of the event, plaques and letters of appreciation were presented to the participants.
Within the scope of the event, the participants who toured the Çukurova University campus and were amazed by the mysterious view of the Seyhan water basin also visited the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Prof. Dr. Bedri Aydogan, Prof. Dr. Ayshehan Deniz Abıga, and the University’s Administrative Affairs Director Demet Duyuler hosted the poets in their rooms, which are striking with their rich library and reminiscent of a museum with their ancient national objects. The Poetry Days ended with a closing banquet and a city tour. The 1st International Cukurova Poetry Days, which took place in Adana and successfully completed its work, left a deep mark in the memory of the participants.
A Story about the “Where Are You From?” Conundrum…
A what appears to be a “black” guy discreetly steps into a room full of “white” people. Well, as “discreet” as a “black” guy can be in a room full of “white” people. Presumably, and rightfully so, the first thing they see is his “blackness”. But wait, there’s more… The next thing they hear is his “accent”. So, the “black” guy knows what comes next. They will try to discover just what kind of “black” he is. He notices a “white” guy coming his way with the usual disarming wide grin he’s come to know so well designed to lower the defenses. The “black” guy got a twisty feeling in his gut. He knows that this is NOT going to go well or maybe it’s brought on by a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“Hi there, I’m Dick!” The “white” guy exclaims with exaggerated gusto.
“Hi! I’m Jean-Pierre,” says the “black” guy. “I used to know a Dick …” The “black” guy says wistfully.
“Oh, is that riiiight?!” The “white” guy trails off, rapidly batting his eyes, as is somewhat caught by surprise. Then quickly proceeds to his original intention of interrogation style questions, which could be interpreted by some as a form of microaggression among non “whites”.
“So….where are you from? The Caribbean? He asks with the widest grin on his “white” face. Notice how he attributes the name Jean-Pierre to the Caribbean when, in reality, it is of Franco-European origin. Had the “black” guy been a “white” guy, he would most likely attribute the name to France.
Jean-Pierre displays an equally disarming wide grin and blurts out what he’d rehearsed in front of the mirror at home many times over.
“Thank you for your curiosity. Naturally, I come from Mr. Semen and Madame Ovary. I was born in South Central Vagina. Any other explanation would be an exercise in fertility…” He accentuated his response with a guffaw, leaving Dick in a germinative stupor…
Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and a literary arts student at Harvard University online. His latest publication “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self” & other titles are available at all Boston Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, University of Wyoming, Askews and Holts Library Services in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, Amazon etc… He has been published in prestigious publications such as Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World anthologies out of India, Poets Reading the News, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide, Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene among others…Visit him at: http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury.–
You are all invited
Paper fiber festival
Puebla
City
Mexico
6-8 MAY 2025
Poets and artists of the world, we are receiving video entries. Send your photo and your environmental-themed video to 3 minutes with your name and country.
Registration for non-official members of the Global Federation: US$15.
More information here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16LVYTToo6/
***PayPal account: mexicanosenred@gmail.com
Deadline April 15-04-25
jeanettetiburciomarquez@gmail.com
Organisation
CEO
Global federation of leadership and high intelligence
Mexico
Jeanette Eureka Tiburcio
China
Greece
Tunisia
My Prayers in Ramadan
I dream for the day, O Allah
When you will recall us together, you said
And we get afraid of the condition
Standing before you
What the result may come out to the selves.
At that time the situation will be so grave
Nobody can come forward to save
The near and dear ones without your consent
You, the only King of the whole kings of the universe
We, all will fly to you like the insects
You, the supreme authority, my dear Allah
I dream just like a dreamer
We are all born dreamers in different perspectives
You know very well and you said also
My everyday prayer to you in the Ramadan period
You must fulfill my dream
That you told to keep ready for the dreamers and good doers
I know I am a sinner
But you mercy is more than our sins
I love to be your servant following
What you have told to perform
Though we fail every time
Our deeds are so little
We are so weak and careless to our deeds
Overlooking all the mistakes
I have a firm faith in my breast
You will receive us in your wonderful, loving, unimaginable
So expected charming ‘Jannah’
When nobody can read my heart without you
I am so worthless, useless, helpless to myself
O Allah, please permit my prayer in this holy Ramadan.
Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
28 March, 2025
Md. Mahbubul Alam is from Bangladesh. His writer name is Mahbub John in Bangladesh. He is a Senior Teacher (English) of Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. Chapainawabganj is a district town of Bangladesh. He is an MA in English Literature from Rajshahi College under National University. He has published three books of poems in Bangla. He writes mainly poems but other branches of literature such as prose, article, essay etc. also have been published in national and local newspapers, magazines, little magazines. He has achieved three times the Best Teacher Certificate and Crest in National Education Week in the District Wise Competition in Chapainawabganj District. He has gained many literary awards from home and abroad. His English writings have been published in Synchronized Chaos for seven years.
Ignorance’s Bliss
Have I not seen the beauty of dawn
I’d be contented of midnight lawn
Yet the pains of desire is sown
Hopeless pains of once numbed pawn
Have I not seen the field of star
I’d be blinded by neons lights afar
Yet not even diamonds come on par
The hope of peace in midst of war
Would it have been better to be ignorant
Following the instincts of an ant
From the sea of norm be deviant
Would satisfaction be a blessed grant?
Why must my eyes be opened wide
To the vastness of truth can’t hide
Confusion of uncertainty to confide
White, black, red or blue, gown of bride
Knowledge is power and poison of peace
When certainty knows not of wisdom’s ease
How much rain can be contained by fleece
Doubts and fears even sage’s soul tease.
War is Inevitable
In the middle of big powerful guns playing game
Neutrality is seen as a safe and wiser gamble
A treaty forced with one is historically lame
But dropping the ball will give us fatal shame
Four big guns on hands-off checkered board
Pawns to push, where no one wins, but the lord
Four chips are not placed, to protect their gourd
Secretly waiting for spoils to divide and hoard
Truces do not shield one from adventurism
Just a buffer for growing, survival mechanism
Until one is called by players for ‘altruism’.
A normal game for big players of empiralism
A call to see whether one of the four is weakening
They need to know who gets the most in harvesting
Though they are strong and science is advancing
Power growth development and resource producing
Both at same time is too much for maintaining
Supply and demand defeats technology source
Deficit in alternative energy and resource
Science has not yet advanced sufficiency
To the stage of not needing natural resources,
Be it in agricultural or mineral produce
Time, of course, comes when one cannot hide
Where small allies will need to choose a side.
Not from two but actually four stong fiery tide
But now’s time to juggle, paint over national pride
Neighbor in friendly alliances for mutual benefits
Symbiotic relationship for opportunity and profits
But all must be careful not get so much credits
Big Four shall check if we reached the limits
Hounds shall come for potential threats to diffuse
Tribal wars, distrust, gossips , rebels to confuse
Chiefs to change if interference foolishly refuse
Convenience of profit to harvest where they choose
Nation have agricultural, sea or mineral treasure
People have technical, medical, skills to measure
Be productive and generous, no alien pressure
Peaceful farms in long protected tenure
Free trade and cordiality as an allied gesture.
Yet I see non political people speaking
Unity in diversity everyone is learning. Resistant to racism and discrimination
Probe the manipulations and misinformation
People blending colors of the rainbows
Harmonious arc of peace everyone knows
I wonder how my friends see the world?
Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa was born January 14, 1965, in Manila Philippines. She has worked as a retired Language Instructor, interpreter, caregiver, secretary, product promotion employee, and private therapeutic masseur. Her works have been published as poems and short story anthologies in several language translations for e-magazines, monthly magazines, and books; poems for cause anthologies in a Zimbabwean newspaper; a feature article in a Philippine newspaper; and had her works posted on different poetry web and blog sites. She has been writing poems since childhood but started on Facebook only in 2014. For her, Poetry is life and life is poetry.
Lilian Kunimasa considers herself a student/teacher with the duty to learn, inspire, guide, and motivate others to contribute to changing what is seen as normal into a better world than when she steps into it. She has always considered life as an endless journey, searching for new goals, and challenges and how she can in small ways make a difference in every path she takes. She sees humanity as one family where each one must support the other and considers poets as a voice for Truth in pursuit of Equality and proper Stewardship of nature despite the hindrances of distorted information and traditions.