The Haunted Forest by Imdadul Islam

 

The Haunted Forest

In search of you I wander in the human

crowds day long for the years unknown,

When the scorching sun blazes me and makes

me sweat all over the body.

In winter the cold air also cuts like a

sharp knife.

It's not a matter, but when somebody laughs

at me , I can't tolerate.

I roam inside the haunted forests in the

night times for the years unknown,

When the crickets whistle for a long and

long time without gasping,

The owls screech and the ferocious jungle

animals also howl there.

Despite I roam and roam inside the haunted

forests and the fields,

When nobody is awakened,

The night-deity touches the heads of the

restive trees and their offspring’s giving them sweet sleeping.

But my movements in search of you don't end,

As my heart has foretold me in a nap, you

would be somewhere at an unknown place and time.

But where are you my dream's one ? why you

don't give me a look. Are you a Mirage?

If you don't meet me , why did you come in

my dream?

     Imdadul Islam, born on September 6, 1975 is a contemporary Indian English and Bengali bilingual poet and author who lives in the village of Piprapuri under Domkal municipality, district Murshidabad, West Bengal. His father’s name is Nur mohammad Mandal and his mother is Kohinur Begum. The poet completed his MA degree in English literature from IGNOU in 2016. He professionally works as a teacher & he is also an earnest fond of composing English and Bengali poems with detective story writing as well. He works as an online peace ambassador for multiple international literary, Peace and human rights organizations like WLFPHR(Bhutan), WSHPLA(Bangladesh)etc. He is the district secretary of Mother Teresa foundation in his district Murshidabad. After all he is an author and co-author of many English and Bengali books. The books where he is a co-author are like Arushi(The first light of the Sun), Kobitar Sagar (The sea of Poems), Nabo Shrishti(The New Invention), 'Mid night in the garden of peace' and 'We want peace, We don't want war' (from Italy) etc. He also writes for multiple national and international English and Bengali magazines such as Banglar Renesan, Alor sandhane, Setu, Swapner Vela, Taifas, The Elite, The Arab evening, Friendship of people etc. His Bengali poetry Anthology Nabo Kabyo Maloncho is just on the way to be launched in the Literary market and he is the composer of the English poetry anthology 'The Rhythmic Blossoms'. It's pleasurable that he has been already honored with multiple online international Honorary Doctorate certificates from various world class literary and human Rights organizations , Academy and Universities like Good Samaritan Theological seminary Inc(Nigeria), Prixton Church And University (America), Lazar international Journal of Arts and Peace(Algeria), World Spiritual Humanity Peace and Literary Association(Bangladesh), Al Fayad international academy for Literature, Culture and the Arts(Egypt), Elite Arab Creative Union(Middle East) and some others as well.

     He also owns some high and senior honor certificates from various international Peace, human rights and literary organizations like World Literary Art Impressions,Taifas international magazine, World Literary forum for Peace and human rights, Instituto Cultural Columbiano Casa poetica magia y plumas (The institution has honored him with Gandhi International peace Award), Associazione culturale per la pace e , International Art and Heritage association for Creativity etc. After all the author won The Universal poetry Cup 2023 organized by World Literary Art Impressions magazine (Romania) and Peace poet award from WLFPHR (Bhutan

My Chest is Thirsty by Manik Chakraborty

My Chest is Thirsty

Lord, you have given light to my eyes,

Yet why do I see darkness,

My chest is thirsty,

Only cries wake up.

The rhythm of life has stopped due to suffering,

The anxious soul trembles with fear,

Conflict inside and outside,

I wander around in tears and pride,

A Bedouin,

Smeared with the poison of betrayal,

Burning myself.

     Manik Chakraborty was born in 1966 in Feni district of Bangladesh. He has been writing since childhood. Currently, he is writing in many countries of the world as an international poet. He has received awards from Arab Europe Asia countries more than a hundred awards. In addition, he edits six magazines. The number of published books is twelve.

 

I am a Speck by Kujtim Hajdari

 

I am a Speck

I am not the ignited sun that inflames in

the crowd,

Neither the balloon that strains against its

tether string,

Neither the gilded crest, which does a noise

too loud,

Of the crowing bird that claims it brought

the spring.

I am a speck on my tiny Earth that restless

spins,

A dust-mote dancing on a floating grain,

Where giant cosmic, dark, and silent begins

And measures majesty in its domain.

This shrinking is not loss, but unbound

space;

A life feels more spacious as we wane.

The ego’s fortress was a cramped, closed

place;

Its ruin lets the meadow flood the plain.

To be a humble stone within the stream,

Convenient for a man who wants to see,

Is to be polished by the water’s gleam

And learn the currents of humility.

In that my smallness, vastness is conferred—

As a single, quiet note, the whole chord

heard.

Kujtim Hajdari is an Albanian poet, writer, translator, publisher, literary critic, and promoter. He writes in Albanian,

Italian, and, more recently, in English. He now lives in the USA. He is a finalist for "AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2025" in Hollywood, USA, with his poetry book "Through the Waves of Life.” The event's ceremony took place on October 4, 2025, at the Hollywood Salon in California, USA. This marks his second major award, following his win of the "International Impact Book Awards" in August 2024. To date, he has published 18 poetry collections, three novellas, three novels, and translated numerous volumes. He has participated in over 50 national and international competitions, earning many awards, including cups, diplomas, certificates, and more. He has been featured in over 230 national and international anthologies in three languages: Albanian, Italian, and English. His poetry has been translated and published in more than 25 countries. He is

also the publisher of the anthology ”All Together” on Amazon, which showcases creators from around the world.