A dream in the forest

Lucia runs in the forest, without stopping, her legs simply run automatically, she does not know exactly what she is running from, or what she is afraid of, the only thing she knows is that she must run, run as fast as she can, her feet are bare, full of dirt, her clothes are a
semi-transparent white blanket covering her body, in the forest there is only darkness, but Lucia’s instincts are active.

At the end Lucia sees a pile of leaves and bushes in front of her, with thorns and roses, when she touched the bush with her finger, a thorn touched her, and a drop of blood fell to the ground, the thing that was chasing her gets even closer, and each time it seems to growl louder,
and each time it seems to get bigger. Then Lucia prefers not to know what is chasing her and, closing her eyes with faith, she passes the bushes full of thorns and roses, getting wounds all over her body, while the semi-transparent blanket that covered her body was torn.

Lucia stopped, and opened her eyes, when she was perplexed by the paradise before her. Around there were trees, not just any trees, large trees full of fresh, green leaves, not like the trees in the forest all withered with purple leaves, the grass that touched his feet was soft, like the mane of a well-groomed horse, in the center there was a lake, with water as crystal clear as the crystals themselves, along with lotus flowers floating on the water.

Lucia notices that she no longer hears the thing that was chasing her, so Lucia takes off her semi-transparent blanket along with her other clothes, and walks slowly to the lake, when she submerges herself in the lake, and the wounds on her body due to the thorns heal completely, except for the wound on her finger, then Lucia lets her wavy black hair float through the water, as much as Lucia lets herself be carried away by the peace and tranquility in her mind, closing her eyes.

But Lucia wakes up to the alarm on her phone. “In the end it was just a dream,” Lucia thinks, but she doubts, because she felt it very real, the fear, the adrenaline, the fatigue, the pain and the tranquility she felt. But Lucia stops thinking about that and gets ready to go to work.

Lucia looks at her finger and notices that it has a scar, one that she had never noticed or had. Lucia thinks if the dream was real but then she thinks it was something else. Passing the door of her house going to work. While a dark and malevolent shadow begins to chase her.

WINGLESS ANGEL

I was born in a kingdom with underground passages. The king was a tyrant and the queen a woman made up of lies. Poverty, lowliness, and humiliation. I was raised like a guinea pig for experiments. I was raised with the seed of a soul. I have wanted wings since I was a child.

Since I was a child, I wished to fly away from the harshness and darkness of this life. An old man once said to me: “I want to fly. Nothing is certain in this world, but whoever denies heaven will be denied by heaven. I believed it.

I began to have a will to the sun. I knew that even in the land of underground passageways, we are made up of the power of the heavens and the earth. It is not a flight to the top. Rather, we fly to the bottom. To the very depths of humanity.

The ugliness of human beings, their meanness toward the upper class and their pride toward the lower class, became my strength. Wingless flight. I descended to the bottom of the underground passage. There, the living had no purpose, and their souls were as good as dead. Here it became clear to me for the first time that I was an angel without wings.

I planted the seeds of my soul in them without reserve. The will to the sun. With their last strength, they ran up the underground passageway and escaped to the earth. To a land without a tyrannical king and a false queen.

Burnt by the sun and with blinded eyes, they ran up to a high cliff. Then, arms outstretched, they soared toward the sun, one after the other, light and full of happiness.

Received the Rekitei Shinei Award in Japan, 2019. Invited by Master Ngo of Taiwan to write haiku for World Haiku and started writing haiku on the internet. In 2020 Richard Vallance of Ottawa, Canada invited me to write here as well, spreading my haiku around the world. In Arabic-speaking countries, Mahmound Al-Rajabi and Ragbi published a collection of my haiku. Starting in 2019, they published four books of haiku in the Arabic-speaking world. 

I’m the winner of the Arab Golden Planet Award for 2022. Arabic-speaking countries awarded me the title of Doctor of Literature in 2023.

My poems were published in the Albanian magazine “Orfew.al” in 2024. My poem is published in “Daily Global Nation” in Bangladesh. My poem will be published in Polis Magazine, Greece. I’ve received a letter of commendation from Poets UK. My poems were published in a Korean magazine. I have a poem published in Kolkata Jishu International Poetry Magazine, India, and a poem published in a Greek electronic magazine. 

I’ve had a poem published in Poetry Planetariat, Nepal. A collection of my poems were published in Bengali-speaking countries. Three of my poems were published in Half-Yearly magazine in India. Three of my poems were published in Raft of Dreams Literary Magazine. One of my poems was published in Hyperpoem, Nepal. A poem was published in Sophy Chen’s Translation World Poetry Yearbook in China. 

My poem was published in Polis Magazine, courtesy of Eva Lianou Petropou, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee from Greece and a kind friend. My poems are published in the British art media. My poems will be published in Resonance and Roots Poetry Anthology. (I seem to have forgotten the names of magazines and newspapers in which my poems appeared due to my negligence. My apologies）.

The English poetry collection ‘The Silence of Time’ is currently available on Amazon.  Japanese Poetry Collections: The Boat on the Mountain, The Soul Book / The Cripple of My Soul, Poem to the Fools, Eternal Tower, an Arabic language haiku collection, Snowy Night, Buson’s Brush, Whereabouts of the River, and The Number of my Sorrows

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Toast the brand new year—but watch your step.

You’re entering a hard-hat area.

The future is under construction.

Last year was a train wreck.

Government jumped the tracks,

lay on its side, wheels spinning.

No connections. No direction.

Checks and balances dismantled—

like the White House itself.

No change in sight for 2026.

Supreme Court stooges run amok.

Senators kowtow and kiss the ring.

Laws apply to subjects, not to kings.

Clueless, photogenic figureheads—

folks you wouldn’t trust to water plants—

manage massive budgets, oversee

DOJ, defense, health, education…

Offices are rubber-stamped by suits

playing quid-pro-quo games.

Brushfires flare up—a new blaze daily.

The government shuts down.

No wages paid week after week.

No failures fixed. Forecast: more flames to come.

A vintage jukebox wails out country woes—

but “cheatin’ hearts” give way to urban blues:

tariffs, health care, price of food and gas…

A vinyl record hits a snag, and stutters

Epstein files, Epstein files, Eps…

Distractions needed.

ICE rounds up brown faces,

lynches brown dreams.

Jaws drop as evening news shows secret orders—

Our country bombs Iran,

bombs ships at sea, and all who cling to wreckage.

Are we at war?

Only the war on immigrants—

a short-sighted war. If we win, we lose.

Allies back away from us, cut ties.

Putin pens our foreign policy.

Gifts are now the norm.

Contracts, kickbacks. Jumbo jets. Gold crowns.

Psst! Hey kid, want some candy? Follow me…

The old year’s all used up.

It’s time to buy a ticket to tomorrow.

But wait—the future’s closed for repairs.

So grab a jack-hammer

and blast through gilded lies.

There are no hands to build anew

but ours.

AFFORDABILITY

Scrambled eggs for family brunch

@ 3 eggs per person = Scrooge’s Christmas goose.

Supermarket shelves have upped each sign.

Economy is this—our daily bread.Our rent, gas, spending cash.

Our shoes and socks.

Tariffs wear masks, stand with pistols drawn.

Stagecoach– robbed before it hits Dodge City. 

You say it’s not a heist?

It’s just a hoax? 

Some billionaire keeps making millions daily?

Dude—he’s the desperado holding guns!

And someone’s turning all that gold bullion

into wall decor to make the White House

Into tacky chic—Motel Versailles.

Building a ballroom.

Using our healthcare to gild the ego of a grumpy man.

Landlords, bankers, butchers get bad raps

trying to make a living, to scrape by…

They’re but the flags, economy’s red alert.

Stock market’s up—but you know who that helps.The 1%. 

Not me, my friend.

Nor you.

Rice and beans and pasta—all imported.

Price hikes—our new diet.

Get a job,but now commuting’s pricey—and we’re lucky.

So many out of work.

No food. No home. 

We measure fitness by the price of eggs. 

PARENTS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS HUMAN SOCIETY

How sons and daughters should be brought up, parents are very touchy in this matter. They use all their powers, even if they have to go for loans, to offer them a world of surety and security. They cannot be faulted in their passion to make all the provisions for the happy stay of their offspring. But some obvious facts that we have to contend with are that the over-protected and pampered sons and daughters of the rich are worst examples of humanity. They have power and wealth which they squander and make life difficult for people who want to live life with dignity.  

If a father is a great painter, can he make his son also a painter, and at that, great too like him? A businessman can bequeath his organization to his son, but has he made the son equal to the task he is going to inherit? We see great organizations and establishments which disappeared when they passed into the hands of crafty or craft-less offspring. We have this equation before us: Wealthy parents have sons and daughters who squander wealth and prove good for nothing and the establishment crumbles as soon as the father is gone. We also have another equation. When the parents are financially weak, and suffer indignities in society because of their poverty, the sons and daughters work hard and rise to high positions. These are far better specimens of humanity, who have seen poverty and who have struggled hard to gain position in society.

Creating Artificial Scarcity

I feel every father who has wealth should not lavish it on his son or daughter. He must create an artificial scarcity for them. Let them feel the pinch and work hard. There is nothing bad in it if he sends his son to work and earn his livelihood, so that he knows the value of being useful to society and learns the art of living with others. This is a world society which we all inherit, and we must know how to share this commonwealth of joy and pain, which are shared for us all. We cannot create young men and women who know everything of plenty and have no knowledge of penury.

When I see fathers doting on their sons, and mothers killing their daughters, I feel how sinful we are. We are not ourselves, we are a part of human society, where we are expected to add to its well-being. If we are centred on our self, or our family, it is a foolish exercise. And it is being practised on an astronomical scale. Parents are worried only about their sons, and little less for their daughters, provide them every joy, every amenity. So far so good. But what is the result of this doting? Particularly, for the society in which we are living? We are giving to society men and women with twisted sensibilities, women and men who could not grow to their potential, people who were made to choose to be parasites.

If a man has to work hard in life, face many struggles, and suffer so many wants and losses, he becomes humble and wise too. But, when he stops all these forces of correction from his son, and gives him a protective atmosphere, it means that son will never rise to those heights to which his father had risen. When we stop our sons and daughters from facing rough weather, [to an extent, it can be excused] but in order to make them men and women in the real sense, so that they could develop their own capabilities to the maximum, they need to be in the ocean as an independent entity.

Protection destroys their potential. You can just cast a look around and see, how my kids who are under protection, they have to be helped in getting jobs, in staying in jobs, and cannot take independent decisions. It is parasitism of the worst kind. Parents must realize their duty towards their sons and daughters. It is poverty of wisdom and foresight if we end up scuttling their progress and growth as human beings, which is a cumulative loss to human society.

Author

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, with an opus of 190 plus books, is Laureate of the Seneca, Charter of Morava, Franz Kafka and Maxim Gorky awards.  His name adorns the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. Anand’s work embodies a rare fusion of creativity, intellect, and moral vision.

Don’t See Me As One With Everyone

No one in this world can love you as much as I do.
While I love you as much as my life,
Don’t see me as one with everyone.

Your place is in my heart,
Think deeply before melting,
Your destiny’s course is unwavering,
Don’t see me as one with everyone.

May my feelings not be hurt,
May my respects not diminish,
May my anxieties not grow,
Don’t see me as one with everyone.

Don’t you know, my delicate lover?
There are a thousand eager lovers, one lover,
The vast world is too small for my heart,
Don’t see me as one with everyone.

Don’t tell me what to do; from your troubles,
The bird of your soul flies away from its homeland,
You will mourn after you,
Don’t see me as one with everyone.

A Few Words About Myself

I was born in the Gelendost district of Isparta province and retired from a tax office. I started writing poetry when I was 13 or 14. I love reading and writing. I believe poetry is the most national of literary forms. I believe that even the most beautiful translation cannot achieve the beauty of the language in which the poem was written. Every poem is beautiful in the language it was written. Every poem is a secret of the poet. My poems contain small messages for those who enjoy reading between the lines.

POETRY IS THE POET’S HEART MARK AND THE SECRET OF THE HEART. Where emotion alone dominates, reason fades, yet without a measure of reason, there is no art. A poet stands on that knife-edge between dreams and reality. The greatest danger for a poet is liking every poem he writes, finding every poem perfect. Such a poet cannot endure hardship to achieve better.

Özcan İşler

Kilitli Kırk Kapı Kalbim Bir gidecek bir gelecek, Gelen geçen hanı değil. Herkes haddini bilecek, Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Ne umut ne can öğütür, Ne mavi boncuk dağıtır, Son sözü aklına getir, Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Sevince ateşe atmam, Verilen sözü unutmam, Uzanan her eli tutmam, Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Ne sen yorul ne beni yor, Bilene sor, duyana sor, Girmesi zor, çıkması zor, Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Sevilen sevgiden bıkmaz, Durduk yere hatır yıkmaz, Her gün biri girip çıkmaz , Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Ölümlüyüz vaktimiz dar, Çok kapı açacak kadar, Ne ömür var ne sabır var, Kilitli, kırk kapı kalbim. Özcan İşler

Ode to 2026: Harbinger of Hope

Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee

I

Hail to thee, O year of light,

 You rise to banish the lingering night.

 From weary hearts new dreams shall grow,

 Your dawn proclaims what all shall know.

 Hail to thee, 2026, Harbinger of Hope,

Guide us onward, teach us to cope.

II

The past lies silent, its burdens cast,

 You bring renewal, a future vast.

Injustice trembles, despair takes flight,

You crown the world with courage bright.

 Hail to thee, 2026, Harbinger of Hope,

Guide us onward, teach us to cope.

III

The children’s laughter rings clear and strong,

 The elders join in a timeless song.

Nations awaken, their voices free,

You weave their dreams in unity.

Hail to thee, 2026, Harbinger of Hope,

Guide us onward, teach us to cope.

IV

No tyrant’s shadow shall dim your flame,

 You etch on history a noble name.

With love and justice your banners rise,

 A brighter world beneath your skies.

 Hail to thee, 2026, Harbinger of Hope,

Guide us onward, teach us to cope.

V

So march we forward, hand in hand,

 Across the seas, through every land.

Your promise shines, our spirits soar,

 Hope reborn forevermore.

Hail to thee, 2026, Harbinger of Hope,

Guide us onward, teach us to cope.

The Impact of Pandemics on Public Health

Normurodova Salima Saitkulovna

Syrdarya Region, Yangiyer City

Abu Ali Ibn Sina College of Public Health

Abstract

This article analyzes the medical, social, and psychological impacts of pandemics on public health. It examines health-related challenges caused by the widespread transmission of infectious diseases, changes in mental well-being, and the increasing burden on healthcare systems.

Keywords: pandemic, public health, infectious diseases, mental health, prevention.

Introduction

A pandemic is the widespread outbreak of an infectious disease across large regions, including multiple countries or the entire world. Throughout history, pandemics such as plague, influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 have significantly affected all aspects of social life, particularly public health. In the modern era, pandemics are considered not only a medical issue but also a major social challenge.

Main Part

Pandemics primarily affect public health through physical illness. The rapid spread of infectious diseases increases morbidity and mortality rates among the population. Elderly individuals, children, and people with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable and belong to high-risk groups.

Another important aspect is the impact of pandemics on mental health. Quarantine measures, social isolation, fear, and uncertainty contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These psychological consequences highlight the growing need for mental health support within society.

During pandemics, healthcare systems face severe challenges. Hospitals experience shortages of beds, medical staff are exposed to excessive workloads, and there may be limited access to medicines and medical equipment. As a result, the stability of healthcare systems is put at risk. Therefore, prevention and early diagnosis play a crucial role in protecting public health.

Pandemics also emphasize the importance of improving public health literacy. Adherence to hygiene rules, vaccination, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key factors in reducing the negative consequences of pandemics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pandemics have a serious and multifaceted impact on public health. To minimize their negative effects, it is essential to strengthen healthcare systems, expand preventive measures, and increase attention to mental health. Only through a comprehensive approach can the consequences of pandemics be effectively managed.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) materials.

Fundamentals of Public Health. — Tashkent, 2021.

Educational materials on infectious diseases and their prevention.