2026 International Women’s Day Special

Dear Goddess May You Bloom All Your Life

Poem by Lan Xin (Lanxin Samei)

My dearest

Born a woman

you are meant to bloom like a flower

Live up to the grace of being a woman—

flowers are tender and glowing

flowers are graceful and elegant

flowers are bright and enchanting

My dearest

You belong to yourself

Your life is in your own hands

Let no one control or manipulate you

You are the master of your fate

and you may choose the life you desire

My dearest

Whether you are a daughter

a wife

a mother

a daughter-in-law

any other role

never forget—

you are first yourself

then everything else

In every role you fulfill

always remember to be true to yourself

My dearest

I hope you will never

take care of everyone else

yet forget to care for yourself

Be kind to everyone

but never be unkind to your own heart

My dearest

No matter how deeply you love

your children

your husband

your parents

anyone else

never forget—

you must love yourself

Only when you love yourself fully

can you love them better

and attract more love into your life

My dearest

You were born to live in love

When you meet someone you want to love

love bravely

Do not question if it is fate or hardship

do not fear being hurt

do not fear loss

Enjoy the journey of love

do not cling only to the result

Just as flowers bloom and fade

they do not refuse to blossom

for fear of withering one day

So it is with love

Love while you can

My dearest

May your heart be filled with love and warmth

nurturing your soul

When no one loves you

love yourself as a beloved would

You owe this to yourself

When no one warms you

warm your own heart

When no one holds you

embrace the child within you

Whether you have support or not

always remember to rely on yourself first

My dearest

May you cherish

this flower-like life you have been given

Treasure every moment

savor every present

Strive when you need to strive

enjoy when you can enjoy

pursue bravely when you must fight

and seize every opportunity with all your heart

My dearest

May you be as beautiful as you can be

Do not wait to wear lipstick

until your lips can no longer hold color

Do not wait to learn makeup

until your face loses its radiance

Do not wait to care for your skin

until time has left its deep marks

Do not wait to buy that beautiful dress

until you can no longer wear it

You were born to live beautifully—

beautiful for yourself

and beautiful for those who love you

My dearest

May your heart be gentle and compassionate

yet strong as diamond

May your wisdom bloom as beautifully as your grace

and may your beauty last as long as your wisdom

My dearest

You are more than a woman of this world—

you are a daughter of the universe

a mother of the earth

the original source of life

an embodiment of love and light

My dearest

Your awakening

is not only the fulfillment of yourself

but also the tenderness of the world

the hope of civilization

the path for the human soul to return home

My dearest

Every woman can be her own goddess

May you bloom freely

through the cycles of time

and let the world admire your grace

May your entire life

a season of constant blooming

From Lan Xin

To Women All Over the World

On the occasion of 2026 International Women’s Day

I send my most sincere wishes

to every extraordinary woman across the globe

May you be treated gently by the world

and cherished tenderly by the years

May your heart hold light

your eyes hold joy

your feet walk a clear path

May you be loved all your life

bloom with confidence

live with ease and grace

May you love yourself deeply

and be your most beautiful self in every role you play

To all women around the world

Happy Women’s Day!

May your grace last forever

and your life be full of fragrance!

Black dogs tall ships sailing legends aboard the Shenandoah

Blacks dogs born and built this ship take people out one day at a time as a big wind jammer! 

A lot of names for those ships you see them in Rockland Maine half way up the coast of Maine

But this one is from Matha’s Vineyard off of cape cod I never looked into it too expensive can’t afford it

I try not to cry about it for fear of being called too sensitive 

Luxurious lives on those boats this girl named misery once jumped a float she used to

Live on a ship called The Schooner; people used to joke about it “the Schooner the better” they used to call it

One time my friend Gaye invited me to see the bay rich white gay man all on display

Told him I’ve never been on a boat so I got no sea legs he asked “well how did you come here from Africa?”

“I flew, I flew Air America…” He said they even have a schooner in Boston Harbor they call it The Liberty

Back in the days when scorned people fought to be free they used to serve up Sunday brunch

Wealthy people got on board and munch munch munch! The Sun shone bright those lazy days…

Summer days when the air smelled like green while poor people gazed then came the recession

So the ships found a new direction they all sailed to Florida couldn’t get any business too cold this time of year

No tourists except between May and September to see black dogs hung for adventure 

Forty years ago souvenir shops were cheaper now that black dogs cost a lot more they’re rarer

Since they’ve all moved on to better weather now this side of the sea bacteria multiplies 

With the speed of a giant panther malaria is having a blast. A procession of people in body casts!

Their hearts fire dying from hunger no one wants to lend a hand to the man in the sewer.

Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and 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 Spirit of Change Magazine, 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.–

No

Not everyone can be friends. 

not friends with everyone, 

not all indulgences, 

don’t listen to everything 

don’t accept everything. 

Not to bear all, 

never be silent, 

don’t go everywhere, 

don’t tell everyone everything. 

not to do all the work, 

don’t go against your will. 

don’t take bad, do not think evil, 

don’t give bad, 

not all competitions, 

not all behavior at all, 

don’t waste time. 

Don’t be weak, 

don’t lag behind. 

Amb. Dr. Priyanka Neogi is from Coochbehar. She is an administrative controller of United Nations’ PAF, a librarian, a CEO of Lio Messi International Property & Land Consultancy, international literacy worker, sports & peace promoter, dancer, singer, reciter, live telecaster, writer, editor, researcher, literary journalist, host, beauty queen, international co-ordinator of the Vijay Mission of Community Welfare Foundation of India.

afternoon heat

naps stretch and blur 

in liminal rest

two hot days 

zephyr lilies 

predict rain 

ponding

frogs echo 

one another 

Grokipedia profile: https://grokipedia.com/page/Christina_Chin

Women, Hygiene, and Awareness

(Monthly Menstruation Awareness Poem – PADYATRA Campaign)

© Rev. Dr. Jitender Singh

India

A woman’s natural cycle, a sacred part of life,

Not shame, but a sign of strength, embrace it without strife.

Each month this rhythm comes, a message of new life,

A balance in the body, nature’s marvelous design.

Yet due to lack of awareness, many suffer pain,

Break the chains of ignorance, let knowledge remain.

Maintaining hygiene is essential, a path to good health,

Change pads or cloths regularly, it’s a measure of self.

Wash your hands properly, protect yourself from infection,

Clean water, clean spaces, this is health’s true reflection.

If there is pain, do not panic or hide,

Speak with mother, sister, or doctor, let guidance be your guide.

There is no impurity, no shame in this,

It is creation’s first step, the greatest gift for her bliss.

Society must also change its view,

No restrictions, respect and support in all we do.

Hygiene, respect, and knowledge,

Step by step, life grows noble and polished.

May a woman’s dignity shine forever bright,

Walk the path of awareness, join the ‘PADYATRA’ light.

How can we make our city a better place to live?

Heavy traffic congestion, air pollution, and littering are some of the most serious problems of modern cities. Our city is no exception. So how can we help make the city a more pleasant place for its residents? What measures should we take to eliminate these problems?

First of all, it would be a good idea to encourage people to use public transport, especially when going to work, instead of their own cars. It would also be appropriate for people to walk to their workplaces, which are short distances, while adhering to a healthy lifestyle and adhering to the useful habits that we are promoting. As a result, the car accidents, traffic violations, and tragic incidents that lead to a person’s death that are happening before our eyes will become a rarity. According to experts’ data from the last year, 2188 people died and 8901 were injured in 9226 traffic accidents in Uzbekistan last year (an annual decrease of less than 1%). According to the WHO, the annual reduction in deaths per 100,000 people is quite significant – from 6.9 in 2021 to 5.7 in 2025 (-17%).

Secondly, one of the most serious obstacles of nature that puts the whole world in a problematic situation is air pollution. The level of deterioration of the ambient air (if we start from our own country) is shown differently in each region and city. Over the past 2 years, to solve this problem, it is Shavkat Mirziyoyev who has been implementing drastic and environmentally friendly measures. Under the chairmanship of our President, on March 29, 2024, it was planned to plant 125 million seedlings within the framework of the “Green Space” project. This project has also been confirmed and is currently showing its effectiveness.

Finally, maintaining environmental cleanliness and raising the population’s environmental awareness are interrelated and important factors in transforming the city into a healthy area. Experts say that improperly managed waste leads to soil, water and air pollution, increasing the risk of various diseases. For example, in areas where a waste sorting and recycling system has been established, the ecological situation has improved significantly. In addition, garbage accumulated in open areas causes the proliferation of harmful microorganisms and insects. Therefore, it is necessary to install sufficient garbage cans on the streets, develop a waste recycling system, and take measures against illegal dumping.

In conclusion, there are many ways to make our city a better place to live. Implementing these measures will clearly provide better conditions for everyone.

Today, everything is fast. We spend hours scrolling on TikTok or Instagram. We see thousands of pictures, but sometimes we feel empty. I’m 16, and I also love my phone. But lately, I found something better: Reading a book.

​Reading is not just about school or homework. It is like a “3D journey” without leaving your room. When you watch a movie, you see the director’s imagination. But when you read a book, you are the director. You imagine the faces, the colors, and the voices. Your brain becomes a private cinema.

​The best part? A book is a friend that never judges you. Sometimes you feel sad or lonely, and you don’t know why. Then, you read a sentence in a book that describes exactly how you feel. In that moment, you realize: “I am not alone.”

​Books don’t have ads or notifications. It’s just you and the story. It’s the best way to relax your mind from the noisy world.

​So, tonight, let’s try something different. Put your phone away for just 15 minutes. Smell the pages, feel the paper, and start a new adventure. Trust me, no smartphone can give you this feeling.