Smooth As Water, Flat As An Envelope

It is rough around the edges
but that will eventually work out-
the water will make everything smooth
and flat and standard like an envelope.

I will let you in on something:
when I was a boy
my parents were octopuses.
Do not task me

with explanations.
I just knew. Okay. It was a certitude.

When I went to sleep my father
had to lie in bed with me.
I had recurring nightmares.
Each night the room was filled
with ghosts who wore red fezzes.
I know it has Freudian overtones,
but who knew then. Not even
my father, who was a human.
I think my mother sometimes kept
him company, which settled nothing.

Anyway, I grew up, you might say.
And I am acceptable,
at least on the surface
and that takes up most everything.

Where I Live

I am not Chinese.
But I am married to
a Chinese woman.
And I have observed over years
that if a Chinese person
comes upon a patch of earth,
they will fetch a pail and shovel,
bring some seeds and plant
a garden. It is all those years of agrarian living.

In my building there is an OC
who had allergies. Instead of going
to a doctor, he chopped down all the trees
and bushes and every living green thing
outside his window and then sat back
pleasurably.

Mao Zedong took care
of the sparrows in China.
It was called The Great Leap Forward.
Sparrows ate grain so the Chinese destroyed
their nests and killed them off
by noise and terror and exhaustion.
Of course, sparrows ate locusts
and when the sparrows were gone
the locusts consumed all the crops.
This was The Great Chinese Famine.

I am very partial to sparrows.
When I approach and they hop off
I find it very gratifying.
In Montparnasse on the steps
of Sacre Coeur Basilica
I once fed sparrows from my hand
and it was secretive.

Talking To The Tree

Looking up at the tree
its heart hanging there
aimlessly still
I could see its
filigree leaves and catkins

planning something:
perhaps to pay a debt
or fill an old order.
There was an idea
doubtless
germinating in
that bound body.
I stopped my aimless
wandering, my body
stiff with age, my hands
in my pockets, empty
but for small change. What would I say to the tree?
If we were in the same world
it was only because of our bodies.
The mind of the tree and its body
were close together.
My mind had flown from my body,
a bluejay screeching
in the uppermost branches.

—————-

Apologia to the angry mob of futureless youths

We are the immortal goodbyes the  gods said to each other

Aeons ago at the gloaming hours of broken covenants

Every word is now a forging of newfound courage, or hope

Behind gray clouds that quiver on the breast of crestfallen dew

Do not bind us now to the oaths of our failed bloodlines

We may fail yet again with tired maxims, axioms hiding

In the palimpsest of hardworking mediocre metaphors

—————–

At a bullet train station in Fujian

Ten years ago around this time of year 

The weather was biting like a lover gone bitter

The fellow Chinese teacher said something about winter wind in China

Which can typically lick human faces off with frost bite

That there’s no way to know pain from shame 

Because the cold is an anaesthesia

So we could be walking around like zombies 

With nice-smelling coiffed hair

Empty eye sockets staring back at people

I didn’t know if he was only trying to shock or humor

A newcomer with excess baggage to boot.

When the train arrived, the wind howled harder

Stepping inside I caught myself in the glass door

Not a zombie yet, whatsoever, thank God

Just a Bukowskian traveler with frozen lake eyes

Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr., is a native of Siquijor Island in Central Visayas, Philippines. He was last based in Fujian, China as a second-language teacher after over a decade stint as a Corporate Communications Officer in the Middle East. Some forthcoming online and in print, most of his poems and stories have been published by literary magazines and journals, including The Philippines Graphic, The Philippine Free Press, The Philippine Star, and the Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints Vol. 53 , among others. He has published three poetry books since 2010. and currently Editor-At-Large for The Syzygy Poetry Journal. 

The Role and Status of Women in Society

Every society’s foundation and backbone is the woman. The development of any nation depends on the role, position, activity, and participation of its women. The degree of progress and prosperity of a society is the result of women’s active involvement.
A woman is not weak; she is the pillar of society. Her role in the formation and development of any community is invaluable. A woman is not only a homemaker but also an educator of both her children and society. Even great scholars such as Muhammad ibn Isa al-Tirmidhi were raised and educated by their mothers. After his father’s death, Imam al-Tirmidhi’s mother personally took charge of his upbringing and education. Similarly, the great Renaissance painter Chopin became interested in art thanks to his mother’s bedtime stories.

Many such examples can be cited, proving that the foundation of every society is a woman. However, many still fail to recognize this truth, seeing women as fragile and incapable. Yet, history tells a different story. Queen Tomyris of the Massagetae bravely led her people to victory against Cyrus II of the Achaemenid Empire in defense of her land and nation’s freedom.In the 15th century, France’s national heroine Joan of Arc led her country’s army against the English at the young age of sixteen, winning several battles for her nation’s independence before sacrificing her life. Her courage and determination made her a symbol of patriotism and heroism.

Behind every successful man stands a strong woman. Behind the great commander Amir Temur (Tamerlane) stood his wise and supportive wife, Saray Mulk Khanum. Similarly, behind the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent stood Hurrem Sultan, a beautiful and intelligent woman who influenced state affairs.

Today, women continue to hold an important place in modern society. In many developed countries, women play a significant role in state governance. For example, the United Kingdom was ruled for decades by queens who served as heads of state. Singapore is recognized as a global leader in education and development, led by Halimah Yacob, who has served as the nation’s president since 2017. Before her presidency, she was the Speaker of Parliament from 2013 to 2017, already holding an influential position in society.In Uzbekistan, Tanzila Narbayeva has been serving as the Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) since 2019. Before assuming this position, she worked in several government institutions and organizations, contributing to state and social development.

However, there are still countries where women face violence, discrimination, and barriers to education. For instance, in India, 330,998 crimes against women have been recorded, of which 38,947 were sexual assaults. India ranks 132nd among 152 countries for women’s health, despite women making up 48% of its population. Only 12% of them hold positions in the national legislature. In  Afghanistan, strict restrictions have been imposed on girls’ education. Girls over the age of 12 are prohibited from attending school, universities have been closed to female students, and women are banned from working. Similar issues persist in many other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, great opportunities are being created for women and girls. Gender equality is given special importance. In 2021, 2,000 state scholarships were allocated for girls from low-income families to pursue higher education. By 2025, this number rose to 4,000, and by 2026, it is expected to reach 6,000.
Since 2019, Uzbekistan has paid special attention to ensuring gender equality. The Chairwoman of the Senate, Tanzila Narbayeva, also serves as the head of the National Commission on Gender Equality.

The government has established state awards such as “Zulfiya” and “Hamshira” to honor outstanding girls and women. All these efforts aim to enhance the participation and role of women in society. Indeed, as women’s involvement in social life increases, the development and prosperity of nations also rise. Women are the pillars of society.

I, Jumanazarova Muxlisa Murodbek qizi, was born on December 22, 2007, in Qo‘shko‘pir District, Khorezm Region. From 2014 to 2025, I studied at School No. 39 in Qo‘shko‘pir District. During my studies, I won first place three times in the district stage of subject Olympiads and took an honorable second place at the regional stage.
Currently, I am a first-year student at Urgench State University named after Abu Rayhon Beruni.

Entropy: lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder

~Oxford Languages

MOTHER TONGUE

They say — the mother tongue is the nation’s mirror,

My language — the soul and life of my people.

With mother tongue, hearts shine clearer,

My Uzbek tongue — my homeland’s symbol of honor.

Because of you, the nation lives on,

Past, present, and future in you are drawn.

From my mother’s lullaby your melody was born,

For you — my heart is full of love and devotion.

Language — the brightest star in a nation’s sky,

Each of your words leaves a radiant light.

If you fade, the people’s identity will die,

With you, the nation stands in its might.

My Uzbek tongue, be eternal, stay strong,

Though ages and centuries may move along.

You are our pride, our glory, our story,

My mother tongue — bloom forever in glory!

Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute, Student of Mathematics and Informatics

Forming the Ecological Consciousness of Youth

At the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, the global ecological crisis has deepened: atmospheric pollution, climate change, deforestation, water resource depletion, and soil degradation pose a serious threat to human life. This situation shows that neglect of nature ultimately returns to man himself. In this regard, the issue of forming the ecological consciousness and culture of youth should be the focus of attention not only of the education system, but also of the entire society.

Because today’s youth are the owners of tomorrow. Their attitude to nature will determine the ecological sustainability and quality of life of society in the future. The formation of ecological culture is understood not only as providing information about nature, but also as forming in the younger generation love for nature, environmental responsibility, the habit of saving resources, and the ability to apply ecological thinking in practical activities.  Ecological consciousness is a level of human thinking in which a person considers it his duty not to subjugate nature to his own interests, but to preserve it, to maintain natural balance. A person strives to live in harmony with nature as an integral part of his life.

The process of forming such consciousness is complex and gradual. This depends, first of all, on family, school and public education. In the family, a child observes the attitude of his parents to nature, and at school he receives theoretical knowledge through ecology and natural science lessons. But the most important thing is practical learning, that is, direct contact with nature.

The education system plays a special role in the process of ecological education.  Environmental trainings, ecological clubs, and “Green Space” campaigns held in schools, colleges, and universities help young people avoid apathy. In addition, initiatives such as “Eco-schools,” “Young Environmentalists’ Circles,” and “Eco-marathons” encourage young people to be environmentally conscious. Instilling elements of ecological culture in every lesson and event is an educational strategy that yields long-term results. For young people living in the digital age, environmental problems are not only related to nature, but also to technology. Electronic waste, excessive consumption, plastic use, and energy waste are all directly affecting the lifestyle of modern young people.

Therefore, the formation of environmental awareness should not be limited to planting trees or cleaning up garbage. It broadly refers to the philosophy of sustainable development: that is, a person takes into account the interests of nature in every decision he makes in his life.
For example, saving water, turning off electricity, using recyclable materials instead of plastic, and separating waste are simple but very important habits that demonstrate the ecological awareness of young people in everyday life. Ecological education is an investment in the future. Raising an ecologically conscious generation is the most important investment in the future. Because environmental problems are solved not by technology, but by people themselves. A responsible attitude towards nature is culture, this is education, this is an indicator of the level of consciousness.

If today’s youth are ecologically conscious, responsible and active, then in the future our country will have a healthy environment, clean air, green cities, and environmental safety.
The formation of ecological awareness is not only the task of environmental science, but also the general responsibility of the entire society. Nature is not an inheritance for us, but a reliable trust that we pass on to our children. Therefore, the formation of the ecological culture of young people is the greatest gift not only for today, but also for future generations.

When young people love nature, protect it, value every tree, save water, and dispose of waste properly, they will develop an ecological consciousness and become responsible individuals.

Bekturdiyeva Nozima Mardonbek qizi was born on July 22, 2006, in Yangiariq District, Khorezm Region, Republic of Uzbekistan. She graduated from a secondary specialized school and is currently a second-year student at Urgench State University named after Abu Rayhon Beruni.