Our regular contributor, prose and poetry writer Jacques Fleury, invites Synchronized Chaos readers to review his latest book. He will send FREE ebooks to people who will provide at least 50-75 word blurbs in their blogs or on Amazon/Goodreads.

About his book:

  “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”

There is a deep yearning inside all of us to bring to light what makes us who we are! In this book, you will encounter literature replete with neurodivergent poetry—akin to 18th century English poet Christopher Smart, notable for his visionary power and lyrical virtuosity. You will also discover a collection of well researched writings, both new and previously published, that explore, debate, celebrate and reaffirm the human spirit and its often pathological and pernicious capacity for antiphonal ruminations and self-inflicted pain, a prismatic portrait of triumph over trauma. It is an articulation of metacognition or self-awareness, an attempt to explore the complexities of man’s inner struggle against the backdrop of Global disharmony mediated by our shared humanity. Ultimately a valiant effort in proffering a favorable outlook for an innovative, adaptive and idyllic prototype: unrestrained love, compassion, understanding and acceptance of our truest selves.

Another regular contributor, poet, prose writer, and photographer Brian Michael Barbeito, would also love a review of his latest book Still Some Crazy Summer Wind Coming Through.

Still Some Crazy Summer Wind Coming Through is a collection of prose poems and photography by Canadian poet Brian Michael Barbeito. The writings combine the themes of the natural world and metaphysics in a braided and interwoven journey seen through the phantasmagoric lens of a world that is both physical and spiritual. They are accompanied by landscape photos taken by the author. This unique and inspiring collection includes an introduction by Cristina Deptula, the Executive Editor of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Please comment or contact us at synchchaos@gmail.com if either the Fleury or the Barbeito book interests you for review.

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Now for this month’s issue: Reflecting Us Back To Ourselves. These submissions, while depicting or exploring different subjects and ideas, also show us parts of ourselves and how we think. As with a lot of art and writing, they serve as pieces of glass within an angled, composite mirror, showing us what we value and find interesting.

Royal Rhodes’ work illuminates how we can find ourselves within cultural artifacts – books, films, and art – depending on where we choose to focus. Christopher Bernard describes the evocative music of a blind singer and what he saw and would have created from a photo of a child’s footprints at the beach.

Stephen Jarrell Williams pays tribute to a writer who followed her craft and philosophical insights and incidentally found an audience along the way. Mykyta Ryzhykh’s play highlights how each civilization and each person is tasked with discovering and creating meaning in life.

Bach Le’s work speaks to being multiracial and his thoughtful, but imperfect, attempts to capture complex and nuanced human experiences through art.

Tohirova Husnova Nurillo crafts a rhymed and metered poem on the importance and value of precision in scientific measurement that speaks to how we seek and understand truths in nature.

Shaxribonu Qoziyeva highlights the value and beauty of learning and education. Madinaxon Meliqoziyeva grows poetic about the aesthetics and structure of poetry. Sobirjonova Rayhona offers up praise and thanks to a dedicated teacher.

Rayhona Jumaniyazova urges people to use language with elegance and compassion. Gulmira Polotova highlights the humanity, caring, and determination in Zarifa Saidnosirova’s play Oybegim Mening.

David A. Douglas draws on the cultural language of movies to illustrate negative drama within a family. Ziyodaxon O’roqboyeva highlights the history and cultural importance of Uzbek fairy tales. Martha Ellen Johnson depicts a mother’s grief as a daughter descends into an abusive relationship.

Randall Rogers disrupts toxic masculinity and fascism with a portrait of his more reasonable father and some mixed metaphors. Bruce Roberts’ anti-Trump poems satirize American politics as Pat Doyne’s poetry draws on Biblical metaphor to reflect on the need to spiritually and morally cleanse the American political scene. Mahbub Alam mourns the political unrest and violence in his native Bangladesh, yet affirms his unconditional love for his country.

Richard Modiano reviews Yahia Lababidi’s Palestine Wail, illustrating her hope for the power of compassion to overcome the power of resentment and war. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa asks why humans so often act without humanity, but takes comfort in the earth itself and other creatures to outlast us. Faleeha Hassan uses lipstick, beauty, and the secret confidences of lovers as illustrations of the grace and nuance of everyday life that is at risk in wartime.

Nargiza Xusanova points out the value of simple acts of kindness as Kristy Raines’ work expresses gentle, delicate love. Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai’s poetry renders the sensitive emotions of a newly flowering love and its loss. Mesfakus Salahin’s poem celebrates the tender beauty of a romance and Gulchexra Iskandarova encourages readers to live simple and kind lives. Zarina Rizoqulova evokes the strength, gentleness, wisdom and grace of Uzbek women, who have traditionally cared for their families and the land.

Michael Robinson speaks to the strength he finds through daily reliance on his Christian faith. Chiniqulova Gulsora finds inspiration and love through practicing Islam. Jacques Fleury’s self-exploration at the end of summer prepares him for a fresh beginning.

Sayani Mukherjee’s piece reflects on how it can be difficult to take joy in simple summer pleasures while the world is burning. Regina Lawless sends an excerpt from her book Do You that depicts her grief on losing her husband. Nosirova Gavhar’s tender story conveys the loneliness and pervasive nature of grief.

Taylor Dibbert comments on the increasing fear in many modern societies. Bill Tope’s story highlights the slippery slope we head down when we begin censoring books and ideas.

Rashidova Shahrizoda Zarshidovna extols the imaginative potential of books and reading. Mark Young graces us with the acrobatic swirls of birds and words on the page. Jim Meirose’s short story plays with words and fragments of narrative and speech. Vernon Frazer’s concrete poetry splashes words around the page as elements in a painting.

Ziyoyeva Irodaxhon suggests that modern education requires creativity, inspiration, dedication and continual learning on the part of teachers. Sobirjonov Dilmurod Toymurodovich gives thanks for the caring heart of his mother. Sadoqatxon Ahmadaliyeva offers up a poetic tribute to the steadfast love of parents, Dinora Amanbayeva extols the caring and compassion of mothers, and Muxammadiyeva Sevinch Zaripovna feels gratitude for her life while reading of her parents’ past struggles.

Zebo Rahmonberdiyeva points out how gratitude can lead to happiness. J.J. Campbell evokes nostalgia and memories of past happiness amidst his difficult present life.

Shodiyeva Madina points out that happiness comes from within, not from measuring up to others’ standards, as we are all different. Stephen House speaks to humility, not always having to give advice since our world is already full of different people who all consider themselves knowledgeable.

Ismoilova Sevinchoy motivates readers to set aside distractions and pursue their goals. Ozoda Turaqulova proudly celebrates her work anniversary at an Uzbek industrial gold mine. Ahmad Al-Khatat entreats those in recovery to continue their healing journeys.

Jackie Chou speaks to identity, selfhood, and wild and urban nature in her lively and sincere poems. J.D. Nelson’s one-line poems portray brief encounters with the natural world, embedded as we are within it. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ work highlights the wildness and unruly colors and shapes of nature.

Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photos explore ways we domesticate and encounter the natural world. Daniel De Culla explores children’s complex feelings about eating other creatures, namely, snails. Kurolova Dilnura outlines the study of ecology and reminds readers to care for the environment. O’tkir Mulikboyev encourages proper care and stewardship of nature and water.

Brian Barbeito sends up a fantastical vision of electricity, enlightenment and ladybugs.

Mark Blickley interweaves figures and colors and mixed media to craft intricate collages. Brooks Lindberg touches on cosmology, jazz music, history, and philosophy in his poems. Duane Vorhees illustrates the volatile and sensual nature of romantic love and attraction. Dr. Sajid Hussain evokes the intensity of spiritual emptiness and the joy of enlightenment.

We hope that this issue helps you in your quest for meaning and joy.