ARTICLE -THE “HEART PHONE” OF RENOWNED UZBEK POET FARIDA AFRUZ… Author - Jakhongir NOMOZOV

THE “HEART PHONE” OF RENOWNED UZBEK POET FARIDA AFRUZ…
 
We live in an age of technology and speed. Today’s person is far more captivated not by discoveries in science, art, or culture, but by new-model cars and, especially, trend-setting smartphones like the iPhone 17.
In public places and on transport, I often find myself unintentionally overhearing young people’s conversations:
“Did you get the iPhone 17?”
“I’m selling my iPhone 15 to buy the new 17…”
 
To be honest, I am so exhausted by the endless discussions of the iPhone 17—both online and in real life. Meaningless content on social media, tasteless advertisements one after another… At a time when so many people are caught in the clutches of the Internet, creating something truly new in literature and poetry—something not merely new, but explosively new—has become incredibly difficult.
 
It is precisely in such a moment that Farida Afruz—Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Deputy Chairperson of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, renowned poet, writer, playwright, and translator—demonstrated her exceptional talent by introducing a new genre in Uzbek literature: the ‘tasbeh’ triplets.
 
Her latest book, “Shuur” (Consciousness)—prepared by Ijod Nashr Publishing House in a fresh format and innovative design, and printed at Mega Basım Press in Istanbul—was published in 10,000 copies.
The book consists of short three-line poems that form complete lyrical compositions with cohesive meaning. Each triplet contains concentrated emotion, wonder, and warmth, gathered into 143 beads of contemplation, presented to the reader in a unique spiritual tone.
 
At a time when most people are preoccupied with the iPhone 17, Farida Afruz created a “heart phone.”
These triplets are brief, yet they encapsulate an entire universe of meaning. With their artistic power, their spell of thought, and their spiritual manifesto, they profoundly touch the reader’s heart.
Every line is not merely a line of verse—it is a spiritual destination, a philosophy, and a treasury of life’s dramas.
 
These triplets harmoniously blend Eastern and Western philosophy, modernism and classicism, Sufism and psychology.
In them, the poet interweaves the soul’s inner stillness with life’s trials, spiritual quests, and delicate emotions.
 
 “You can never be a friend to me.
Tell me—when, and how has an ant
ever carried the load of an elephant?”
 
Who is a friend?
A friend is someone who stands by you in good and bad days, who sacrifices wealth—and if necessary, even life—for the sake of friendship. But the “friend” mentioned in the poet’s verse does not belong to this noble category. After all the years of pretending to be a friend, the speaker reaches the final verdict:
“You can never be a friend to me.”
 
Just look at the weight of meaning placed into a single line!
A person who acts like a friend but provides no support in hardship, feels no joy in your happiness, shows no loyalty—can such a person be called a friend?
 
The second line introduces the ant—a tiny creature, hardworking yet physically incapable of carrying the immense burden an elephant lifts effortlessly. The analogy is striking:
This “friend” cannot bear the responsibility, loyalty, or moral weight that true friendship requires—just as an ant cannot carry an elephant’s load.
 
Or imagine a weary traveler wandering through the desert, drained of strength, losing hope in life itself. Suddenly, he sees a tall green tree and a shimmering spring flowing in its shade. What happens?
Not only does he quench his thirst, but a renewed hope for life awakens within him.
Yes—life is beautiful, and living is a joy.
 
Similarly, a reader of Afruz’s triplets not only quenches the thirst of the heart, but begins to understand the essence and meaning of life even more deeply.
 
 “At the head of a sleeping man
a nightingale sings—
and a woman’s fate darkens…”
 
Another triplet in the book carries within itself the spirit of an entire work.
Family — man and woman — the smallest unit of society.
Happiness and unhappiness, presence and absence, all depend on the atmosphere within the family.
If the environment is healthy, if husband and wife respect each other, understand one another, and if the bonds of love, harmony, kindness, and compassion are strong, such families become the happiest of all.
 
But in the poet’s triplet, the situation is the opposite.
The husband is utterly indifferent.
He does not feel the woman’s pain, her inner turmoil or the sorrow passing through her heart.
He is asleep.
 
The poet compares the woman to a nightingale —
“A singing nightingale…”
The nightingale is a beautiful bird… it sings exquisitely… its voice gladdens hearts.
Yet this “nightingale” — the woman — is unfortunate.
Her misfortune lies in the very man she trusted, with whom she entered marriage carrying great hopes.
He made no effort to ensure her happiness as the lady of the home.
He never listened to her worries or thoughts.
The poet chooses the phrase “an ill-fated woman” to describe her.
This means that after marrying this man, the woman found no light, received no respect, and saw no attention.
Her dreams dissolved like a mirage.
To deepen the concept of misfortune, the poet uses the phrase “ill-fated.”
 
“Beside a sleeping man
Sings a nightingale—
An ill-fated woman.”
 
Every line of this triplet contains a whole world of meaning.
This is the fruit of great mastery — the ability to portray the atmosphere of an entire family through just three lines, like an artist painting a scene.
 
“A handful of water in your palm,
If you spill it,
I become a wave…”
 
In this triplet, water symbolizes the spirit in Farida Afruz’s tasbeh triplets.
Water held carefully in the palm represents the human need for delicate treatment, attention, and appreciation.
If one is not valued, the water spills — but it does not disappear.
Instead, it turns into a mighty wave.
This wave is spiritual growth, inner awakening, a strength born from suffering.
 
“Once we queued for bread,
For water, for grain, for anything…
But today —
For dignity?”
 
This triplet points to one of the greatest tragedies of today’s society:
we have entered an era in which people stand not for daily necessities, but for dignity.
This is one of the main spiritual themes of “Consciousness”:
to understand one’s inner value and to reveal the true worth of the soul.
 
Another painful question in the triplets harmonizes with the overall spiritual tone of the book —
and its answer awakens within the reader themselves.
 
“Fighting corruption
Feels like fighting
Against the wind…”
 
This triplet reveals the moral layer of society.
To fight the wind is to struggle against an unseen force —
the loneliness of a single person standing against an entire system.
This idea, too, aligns with the sorrow, longing, and inner ache found throughout Farida Afruz’s tasbeh triplets.
Through a short but powerful metaphor, the vice of society is clearly exposed.
 
“In the old cottage
Of an old village
A new genius is born.”
 
Geniuses are not born in palaces, but in humble old cottages —
yet within vast hearts.
The old cottage represents simplicity, honesty, and naturalness.
It is from this simplicity that a new talent emerges.
This triplet is close to one of the core ideas of “Consciousness”:
greatness is born from simplicity.
 
Both these triplets and the entire teaching of “Consciousness” express one truth:
What makes a person great is not gadgets, trends, or the iPhone 17,
but the value of the heart, spiritual awakening, and the magic of words.
 
Farida Afruz proves this in her book:
one triplet — one world.
One triplet — one life.
One triplet — one wisdom.
 
That is why “Consciousness” is not merely a book —
it is a spiritual enchantment delivered straight to the heart.
When you hold the book, you feel something similar to holding a smartphone:
every triplet’s meaning is visualized even more vividly through the carefully placed artistic elements.
It is the poet’s heart-telephone offered to lovers of literature — a true spiritual gift.
 
In Farida Afruz’s triplets, Eastern and Western philosophy, modernism and classicism, Sufism and thought merge into a perfect innovation.
Each triplet awakens inner dramatic power, spiritual reflection, and philosophical depth within the reader.
 
The triplets in the book allow readers to feel — spiritually — the magic of words, the power of literature, and the poet’s immense talent.
In “Consciousness,” the strength and incomparable power of literature shine even more brightly in every line of every triplet.
 
The soothing moments, feelings, unique thoughts, and conclusions that flow from the WORD into your heart carry you into another, beautiful world —
a world clear as pure water, bright as the sky, tender as a mother’s lullaby.
This is the world of literature, the world of poetry.
Farida Afruz’s poetry and triplets bring radiant light to this world, like a bright spark.
 
They inspire reflection, contemplation, and inner conclusions.
 
Today is a joyful day for me:
my beloved poet has gifted me and all readers something more precious than the iPhone 17 —
the “Consciousness” Heart-Telephone.
Through this miniature yet magnificent book, readers will enjoy the magic of words, the power of literature, and the poet’s great talent.
 
For those who couldn’t get an iPhone 17 and remain regretful —
take Farida Afruz’s “Consciousness” Heart-Telephone,
read it, explore it!
 
I sincerely congratulate the author and all readers on this marvelous and splendid book.
 
Jakhongir NOMOZOV, is a young poet and journalist from Uzbekistan. 
He is also a Member of the Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan and the World Young Turkic Writers Union.