In the Play “My First Ex-Husband” Ex-Wives Discover Their Superpower

Joy Behar exposes marital complexities with caustic & hilarious wit currently touring at a city near you…

By Jacques Fleury

Joy Behar, legendary comedienne and co-host of The View, gives us an intrepid and authentic adaptation of true stories with serrated comicality–minus any sort of politically correct filters. The play is an introspective of the often-muddled hysterical realities of love, sex, and relationships. Whether you’re joyfully united, guardedly devoted, or considering altering the locks, relationships are intricate—and collectively associable. These stories could be all our stories, except wittier. The basic premise of the show is every weekend, an ensemble of four stars from theatre, television, and film join the show, bringing their inimitable dispositions to voice these tales that may be uncannily familiar to you or someone you know. Shocking yet profoundly germane to the times, this show will reverberate with anyone who has piloted the tempestuous and often prickling seas of love.  In addition to other titillating surprises, the show contests and questions ideologies of patriarchal authority, blind loyalty, self-esteem, physical and psychological abuse, gaslighting, subservience, physical and emotional constraints, lack of respect and more…The play showed to sold out crowds at the Huntington Calderwood at the Boston Center for the Arts in September of 2025 and will resume touring possibly in a city near you. According to the My First Ex-Husband website pending performances will at the following cities: Florida, California, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Connecticut and more…

“The stories are very relatable,” utters playwright Joy Behar. “Even if you never got a divorce, you still have problems with in-laws…or sex, or kids, or money… Marriage is a work in process all the time.” Behar was emphatic about how “true” the ex-husband stories are but said that they were admittedly tweaked for dramatic effects…A touchy yet facetious aspect of the play was when members of the “Ex-Husband” ensemble related tales of how their husbands used to cause them to feel insecure by poking fun at their weight, or “subtly hinting” that they need to improve their appearances to fit their husband’s standards of beauty. The fat jokes scored big and landed like a hilarious thud with audience members.

My First Ex-Husband is a visceral emotionally charged experience that explores and shatters any preconceived notions of marital uniformity. It extrapolates on the gradations, conceptions and misconceptions of marriage lore. With her signature brand of dynamic caustic and facetious wit, Joy Behar “brought it” to the Calderwood Pavilion stage at Boston Center for the Arts along with three of her equally funny female cohorts: Veanne Cox, Judy Gold, and Tonya Pinkins.

When you are embarking on the often symbiotic and potentially precarious journey of marriage, the core of you are could pose as a barrier or asset depending on who you married and your ever evolving marital circumstances. The play “My First Ex-Husband” can serve as a cautionary tale when entering marriage or any type of relationships in your lifetime. Times Square Chronicle declares that My First Ex-Husband “appeals to men, women, and anyone who has ever been in a relationship.”  And I couldn’t agree more…

We are entering the dawn of a post “Me Too Movement” era, where women find personal freedom to discover their own versions of their authentic selves while redefining their own notion of beauty, not what their husbands or patriarchal society’s vision of what they think beautiful should be… In the grand scheme of things, I think until you get to know yourself and find out what your source of power is, you’ll be disconnected from the world hence you would only be moved by external circumstances, not discovering that you’re the one who makes things happen.  In “My First Ex-Husband,” the women discover not only that their super power is self-love and self-respect but also that “true love” is one that frees not imprisons.   

 “My First Ex-Husband” has prodigious comic timing and socially conscious substance suitable to the times…  A witty, emotionally charged and colorful artistic theatrical brush stroke of daring dramedy! I give this in-your-face smartly premeditated rumpus a 5 out of 5 stars!

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 Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, Wyoming University, Askews and Holts in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, amazon etc.  His works appeared in publications such as Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World anthologies out of India, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide among others. Visit him at:http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury

My country

You are my wealth, my dearest and unique,
And always because of you my speech is art.
Don’t let your peace be broken and bleak,
I will not let your candle in my heart depart.

Your presence means that my existence is true,
I have no happiness and joy apart from you
My nation, in my heart, pride I knew,   
For you are the light that illuminates my way anew.

Abdusaidova Jasmina Quvondiqovna
A student of class 8-“D” at School No. 22, Gallaorol district, Jizzakh region.
Born on July 20, 2011.
I am interested in artistic skills such as drawing and writing poetry.

Genius Bar

I thought the computer was broken.

But the computer isn’t broken.

So it’s just me then.

How do you turn this on?

The screen it goes from dark to dark.

That’s the AI telling me

you’ve been replaced by something broken better.

You’ve been replaced by half a stick of butter.

Don’t squish that into the computer, hon.

Every light it spits out yellow.

I think I must reboot my poop.

They should not have replaced those windows

in the back of my head now how can I see what’s wrong?

Future Light as Children:

We should care and nourish the children morally.

 The inventive mind of children should be nourished very nicely.

The children are the flowers of universe to find new world.

So, our children without gender bias should be treated well.

And they should be made strong and independent.

Then the youth becomes strong and wise.

They should stand with self-knowledge.

 Children are buds of flower.

 So, nourish with care and love to them.

 The future pillars are children.

Woman Ethics:

 Woman as the higher branch of society

 Brings light to her children,

 Should be educated,

 Should not live in superstition,

 Should not depend on magic of devils,

 Woman needs to be secured against evil relation.

 Woman should make good relation in human community.

 Woman must be ethical to bring unity.

 Ego and jealous nature should not be there.

 Woman must be highly intellectual.

 Woman must be dynamic not to care small thing by others.

 She should be strong to be truthful herself.

 Society in the Universe:

 The society is good when understanding among friends is well.

 One continent respects other.

 The society seems well-being without ego and anger.

 Then light is in everybody’s mind.

 The social and cultural knowledge should be there.

 Respect of each other should be there.

 Friends are friends from one corner to another.

 So, we have to connect  friendship around the world.

 So, we must respect each other.

 Bond of friendship is never in ditch.

 So, appeal to friends to be in our unity to all.

 Bring unity around world by forgetting the past.

Oct. 5-2025

© Til Kumari Sharma

 Parbat, Paiyun 7- Nepal

Til Kumari Sharma is an internationally awarded poet, essayist, story writer, reviewer, translator and so on. She has won numerous awards through writing around the world. She is a  best-seller amazon no 1 poet “A Spark of Hope  Vol.III, Creating a Better World, Break the Silence Vol.III” and so on. She is a featured poet “The Poem  Posse 2023, 24, 25” and many where around the world. She is a poet in world record book “ Hyper poem”. She has got “World Creative Hero Award” from LOANI. Anyway she is world famous author who was born in Paiyun 7- Hile, Parbat, West Nepal. Now she is in  Kirtipur Kathmandu. Her portrait by Ukeme Udo is famous.

MASQUERADE

 using AI

Talem was someone who had once forgotten his own name. He lived in a city where names could be changed as easily as shoes: one in the morning, another in the evening, a third in dreams. The city had no name, or rather, it had all of them at once.

One evening, when the shadows from the streetlights grew thicker than the lamp posts themselves, Talem found a letter at his doorstep. The envelope was black as the ash of a burned book and warm to the touch, as if it had only just been held. Inside was a card, inscribed with silver writing:

INVITATION TO THE GREAT MASQUERADE

Location: The Hall Between Times

Time: When the clocks stop

Bring your mask with you. Or let it find you.

He didn’t remember agreeing to anything, but he was already on his way.

The Hall Between Times was a glass palace, standing in a place where the city ceased to be real. The walls reflected not faces, but possibilities: you could see who you might have become if you had chosen differently. Or whom you had lost by choosing as you did.

Talem was not alone. He found himself among the guests, each wearing a mask — strange, alive, breathing. Some wore the faces of lion-headed beasts, others had the likeness of hawks, some bore golden tridents, while others had six eyes. The masks moved, shifted, as if they were worn not by humans, but by beings with their own life.

Talem wore a blank mask — smooth, like a mirror’s surface. He had received it from a random street vendor as he passed by. The man had said:

— Here, this is it. Without this, you won’t get in.

He felt like an outsider, as if he were a mere shadow against these vivid faces. But that was the point.

He met three of them.

First was Horus, the Egyptian god of the sky. His mask was made of pure gold, with falcon eyes that blazed like the sun. He stood by the window, watching the clouds slowly move, not in a hurry.

— I lost my father’s throne, — he said. — And now I know: the truth cannot be found when it disappears with every glance.

Talem said nothing.

Next was Kali, the destroyer of illusions. Her mask was made from a tangle of skulls and serpents, and she seemed both wild and merciless. Her hands were many, each holding a lotus, a sword, or a bone.

— I do not kill bodies, — she said. — I destroy lies. I become what your soul hides. Look at me, and you will see what you hide. Put on my mask — and you will see what remains of you.

Then came Odin, the god of wisdom and war, his mask made of horns and raven feathers. His gaze was penetrating, as if he knew what would happen to everyone in this hall a thousand years from now.

— I gave up sight for wisdom, — he spoke. — But now I don’t know what to do with it. No matter how much you know, the answer is always hidden in another question. Are you ready to find that question?

But Talem did not take any of their masks. He simply remained silent, listening to their words, which seemed to grow emptier with each passing moment.

The next gods approached.

On the balcony, far from the rest, stood Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, wearing a mask of jade. He laughed, but his laugh sounded like a storm, a prelude to disaster. His fingers slid through a bowl filled with water.

— People call me good when they desire rain. And evil when I bring floods. Are you ready to be the one who no one understands? The one who is both condemned and exalted at the same time?

Then in a corner appeared Ereshkigal, the Sumerian goddess of the underworld. Her mask was made of burnt clay, with eyes that seemed to peer into eternity.

— I was once the sister of the sky, — she whispered. — Now I lie beneath the earth. Are you ready to consume darkness? To be the one who never sees the light?

But even she did not tempt Talem to wear her image. Instead, he approached one corner of the hall, where stood the Nameless — a god whose name had never been known. His mask had no eye sockets, and his face was just a dark void.

— Who are you? — asked Talem.

— I was a god, but I was forgotten. My name no longer echoes in prayers, but perhaps you know me. I am the one who is never remembered but always present. I am the future of all gods, even if no one remembers us.

Talem was silent once again.

At midnight, when all the clocks in the Hall Between Times stopped, the Exchange began — an ancient ritual in which the gods could leave their masks. And the mortals could take them, to become what they were not.

Talem felt the weight of many hands before him, each holding a mask, each offering a promise.

— You are empty, — said Kali, extending her mask. — But this emptiness can be anything. Fill it with me, and you will become the one who destroys illusions.

— Or become mine, — said Odin, holding out his mask, full of wisdom and loss. — Become the one who sees, but cannot close his eyes.

— Are you ready to be the one who gives everything and takes everything away? — asked Tlaloc, his mask flashing like rain in the light.

Talem stood in the center of the hall, feeling their eyes on him, the weight of these possibilities. But he did not move. He simply looked at them.

— All of you fear emptiness, — he said softly. — But I do not fear it. I do not want to be someone I do not know. I do not want to wear a mask. I am a human. And I choose to be empty, but real.

He took off his blank mask and placed it on the floor.

A silence settled over the hall, like a cloud that absorbs the light. The gods were silent. They did not speak, but there was something new in their eyes. Fear. Respect. Understanding.

Talem turned and left. Behind him, the gods remained, once again locked in their masks, which now seemed not alive, but simply dust in the air.

When he stepped outside, the morning was already knocking at the city windows. He walked, and the world seemed the same. But Talem knew: now, he was just a human. And that was enough.

Memory

 Night. The quiet whisper of the sea waves. The dark night and me. The cold wind is shaking my legs, the cold feelings are shaking my heart. No matter how tired I feel, there is no sleep in my eyes. My dreams took me back to the bottomless past. A small village, a house on the riverbank. Dusty streets, endless wheat and cotton fields. A woman sitting on a stool in the courtyard, embroidering.. A pain arose in my left chest. A tear flowed from my eyes. Closing my eyes again, I looked at that woman’s dear face. Unlike mine, thin as a bow, slightly furrowed eyebrows, a small elongated face, curly hair falling to her forehead and touching her forehead. Only curly hair and a stubborn character remained as a memory of her. Mom…                                                                                                                                             Hot cakes just out of the oven….                                                                                             Sweet evening tales..                                                                                          My chest hurt again. I miss you mom!                                                                                            

A person is so weak that even his own imagination can hurt him. I gently took off my white sneakers and got rid of my socks. As I put my feet on the warm sand, my body felt a certain pleasure. I walked. Slowly, with fatigue. The waves of the sea hit my feet, and the gentle winds gently caressed my curly hair. As my steps slowed down, the distant past pulled me back into its embrace. My thoughts flew back to that small village. My childhood and adolescence began to pass before my eyes one by one.                                                                                     

Memories of playing in a snowstorm, avoiding lessons, and being reprimanded..                                                                                                                                                       Precious faces, faces that smile but stab you in the back….                                  Another face…                                                                                                                                           A face that always avoids remembering, missing you…                                                         A face that makes my heart tremble when I think of it, my eyelashes tear up….   Oh, I have no more strength left. I knelt down on the warm sand. Suddenly tears rolled down my eyes. Enough…    

                                                     As I stared at the distant sky, I felt that these would never end. Nothing, no one just disappears. All things, events, and people are in our hearts.                     Forever…

Turdiyeva Guloyim. Young literature lover. Author of several scientific articles and creative works. Official member of the “Voice of Girls”, “Young Reformers Council” and “Golden Wing” volunteer.

Andijon State University

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Chemistry Department 2^nd year student

Vaxabdjonova Zarnigor                          zvaxabdjonova@gmail.com

The chemical composition of chia seeds and their effect on the human body

Annotatsiya:Mazkur maqolada chia urug‘ining kimyoviy tarkibi, oq va qora turlarining o‘ziga xos farqlari hamda inson organizmiga ko‘rsatadigan ta’siri yoritilgan. Chia urug‘i tarkibidagi oqsillar, omega-3 yog‘ kislotalari, tolalar, vitamin va minerallar uning sog‘liq uchun yuqori foydali mahsulot ekanini tasdiqlaydi. Maqolada chia urug‘ining yurak-qon tomir tizimi, ovqat hazm qilish jarayoni, suyak va qon shakar darajasiga ijobiy ta’siri ko‘rsatib o‘tilgan. Shuningdek, uning qo‘llanishidagi ayrim cheklovlar va ehtiyot choralariga ham e’tibor qaratilgan. Tadqiqot natijalari chia urug‘ining funksional oziq mahsuloti sifatida kundalik ovqatlanishda qo‘llanilishi mumkinligini ko‘rsatadi.

Kalit so‘zlar: chia urug‘i, kimyoviy tarkib, oq va qora turlar, sog‘liq, funksional oziq, kontrendikatsiya

Abstract:This article highlights the chemical composition of chia seeds, the distinctive characteristics of the white and black varieties, and their effects on the human body. The presence of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals confirms chia’s high health benefits. The article discusses the positive impact of chia seeds on the cardiovascular system, digestion, bone health, and blood sugar levels. Attention is also given to certain limitations and precautions in their use. The research findings demonstrate the potential for chia seeds to be used as a functional food product in daily nutrition.

Keywords: chia seeds, chemical composition, white and black varieties, health, functional food, contraindications

Аннотация:В данной статье освещены химический состав семян чиа, особенности белого и черного сортов, а также их влияние на организм человека. Содержание белков, омега-3 жирных кислот, клетчатки, витаминов и минералов подтверждает высокую полезность чиа для здоровья. В статье рассматривается положительное воздействие семян чиа на сердечно-сосудистую систему, пищеварение, здоровье костей и уровень сахара в крови. Также уделено внимание некоторым ограничениям и мерам предосторожности при их применении. Результаты исследования показывают возможность использования семян чиа как функционального пищевого продукта в ежедневном рационе.

Ключевые слова: семена чиа, химический состав, белый и черный сорта, здоровье, функциональная пища, противопоказания

Introduction

The issues of human health and longevity have intrigued scientists and physicians since ancient times. Today, the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle on a global scale, the production of functional food products, and their effective use have become pressing issues. From this perspective, chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.), which have a long history and remain the focus of scientific research today, deserve special attention. Chia seeds have been used since ancient times by the peoples of Central and South America, especially the Maya and Aztecs, as a primary food source. Historical sources describe chia seeds as a “source of strength,” valuing them as a food that supports human health and physical activity. Today, chia seeds are considered a subject of research not only in traditional medicine but also in modern science and medicine due to their unique chemical composition, biologically active components, and functional properties.

The significance of chia seeds is not only in their use in the food industry, but also in their potential for practical application in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. This article highlights the chemical composition of chia seeds, the differences between white and black chia seeds, and their effects on the cardiovascular system, digestion, bone strength, and blood sugar levels, based on scientific evidence. This demonstrates that chia seeds are a promising source that can be widely used internationally as a functional food and biological supplement.

In recent years, the development of the concept of healthy eating worldwide has increased scientific and practical interest in chia seeds. The unique feature of chia seeds is that they are not only high in energy value, but also rich in various biologically active substances essential for the human body, such as proteins, unsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3), fibre, vitamins and minerals, confirming its high value as a functional food product. As a result, chia seeds are considered an effective means of preventing many diseases, boosting the body’s defences and regulating metabolic processes.

Furthermore, the chemical composition of black and white chia seeds requires a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action on the human body.

The importance of studying this topic lies in the fact that modern biology and medicine are increasingly recognising the importance of healthy eating. Through in-depth study of the chemical composition of chia seeds, opportunities are opening up for their wider use in the food industry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Therefore, this research is not only theoretically but also practically significant.

Main section

The chemical composition of chia seeds has been thoroughly studied through scientific research, and it is clear that they contain components with high biological value. The composition of chia seeds includes 20-22% of carbohydrates, 30-35% of proteins, and 25-30% of fats, with a particularly high content of unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. The mineral content of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron is significantly high, and vitamins A, E, C, and B group vitamins have been identified. The combination of these components makes chia seeds a functional food product.

One of the main biologically important components of chia seeds is their balanced amino acid composition. This plays an important role in the growth of muscle tissue, metabolism at the cellular level, and meeting the body’s energy needs. Yogurt acids have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, regulating cholesterol levels and preventing atherosclerosis. For this reason, chia seeds are considered a natural preventive measure for maintaining heart health.

Certain differences are also observed between white and black varieties of Chia seeds. For example, white chia seeds have relatively higher levels of calcium and omega-3 fatty acids, while black varieties have higher levels of fiber and iron. This allows them to be used for various physiological needs and health support purposes. These properties further expand the prospects of chia seeds in the production of pharmaceutical and dietary products.

Dietary fibers occupy a special place in chia seeds. They regulate the digestive process, develop beneficial intestinal microflora and help stabilize blood glucose levels. For this reason, chia seeds can be used as an effective biologically active additive in the Prevention of diabetes and obesity. Antioxidant substances, on the other hand, reduce the harmful effects of free radicals, slow down the aging process of cells and strengthen the immune system.

Scientific research in recent years shows that regular consumption of chia seeds produces a number of positive changes in the human body. In particular, it has been found to be effective in lowering blood pressure, improving brain function, increasing bone mineral density, raising overall energy levels, and reducing inflammatory processes. However, studies also emphasize the need to moderate its consumption, as despite the fact that chia seeds are considered a “superfood,” they also have some negative aspects. The main problem is high amounts of cutlets, especially insoluble cutlets. It can cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in people with a sensitive Ham making system, or if consumed in large quantities, such as resting on the abdomen and causing metiorism.

This scientific evidence shows the possibility of widespread use of chia seeds in modern nutrition, in the pharmaceutical industry, and in medical practice. Also, its naturalness and richness in biologically active substances form the basis for the recognition of chia seeds as a promising resource for the preservation and strengthening of human health.

Conclusion

The scientific evidence presented above is that of the chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) confirm that it is a unique nutrient source with high biological value. Its proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fat kilotas, dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals support important physiological processes in the human body. Chia seeds are distinguished as an effective tool for improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system, normalizing digestive processes, increasing bone strength and stabilizing blood glucose levels.

Differences in the chemical composition of white and black varieties make it possible to adapt and apply them in order to support various needs and health. At the same time, it is important to maintain moderation in the consumption of chia seeds, since a high content of fibers can cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal system.

The results obtained indicate that chia seeds are a promising resource that can be widely used as a functional food and biologically active supplement in modern nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and medical practice.

 References

1. Ullah R, Nadeem M, Khalique A, Imran M, Mehmood S, Javid A, et al. Nutritional and therapeutic perspectives of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.): a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2016;53(4):1750–8.
   �� SpringerLink
2. Muñoz LA, Cobos A, Diaz O, Aguilera JM. Chia seeds: microstructure, mucilage extraction and hydration. J Food Eng. 2012;108(1):216–24.
   �� ScienceDirect
3. Ayerza R, Coates W. Dietary levels of Chia: influence on yolk cholesterol, lipid content and fatty acid composition for two strains of hens. Poult Sci. 2000;79(5):724–39.
   �� Oxford Academic
4. Capitani MI, Spotorno V, Nolasco SM, Tomás MC. Physicochemical and functional characterization of by-products from Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds of Argentina. LWT – Food Sci Technol. 2012;45(1):94–102.
   �� ScienceDirect
5. Segura-Campos MR, Ciau-Solís NA, Rosado-Rubio G, Chel-Guerrero L, Betancur-Ancona D. Chemical and functional properties of Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) gum. Int J Food Sci. 2014;2014:241053.
   �� Hindawi
6. Valdivia-López MÁ, Tecante A. Chia (Salvia hispanica): A review of native Mexican seed and its nutritional and functional properties. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2015;75:53–75.
   �� ScienceDirect
7. Ullah R, Khan S, Khan F. Nutritional and medicinal importance of Chia seeds: a review. Int J Biol Biotechnol. 2021;18(2):243–50.
   �� ResearchGate