Lyric Stage Boston
presents: Crumbs From the Table of Joy

Performances begin Friday, Jan. 10 and run through Sunday, Feb. 2.

“I enjoyed the play but as a “black” male in America, I found it at times painful to watch. Reminiscent of Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play “A Raisin in the Sun”, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s play “Crumbs at the Table of Joy” (both play titles were inspired by poems from Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes) is a germane, prescient, at times, biting and raw adaptation of atavistic racism of the civil rights movement and post-civil war Jim Crow era, mediated with sporadic sidesplitting comic relief and adolescent idealism through day dreams of movie magic of the 1950s, providing complex historical context for dialogue, understanding and compassion in confluence with the racial and sociopolitical disunity manifesting in present day society. A vibrant and illuminating depiction of the “Black” working-class struggle for equality and inclusion replete with dramaturgical artistry”

                                                                                                                             —Jacques Fleury, Patch News-Boston

                                                                                                                                Synchronized Chaos Literary Journal

Crumbs From the Table of Joy

Two sisters and their recently widowed father struggle to find their place in the world while holding tight to the love they have for each other.

Boston, MA: Lyric Stage Boston begins the new year with Lynn Nottage’s touching portrait of a family longing to find the light and spark that has been dimmed in their everyday lives. Directed by Tasia A. Jones and featuring a cast of new talents and Boston-area favorites, Crumbs From the Table of Joy is the perfect way to warm your heart and enrapture your mind this winter season.

Adrift in Brooklyn during the racially charged 1950s, two teenage sisters Ernestine and Ermina live with their devout, recently widowed father, Godfrey, who follows the teachings of spiritual leader Father Divine. Almost to the point of obsession, Godfrey’s staunch beliefs cause his girls to heal their wounds with Hollywood films, daydreams, and lots of cookies. Their humdrum lives are turned upside down with the arrival of their vivacious Aunt Lily, who brings with her a few bad habits and a taste for rebellion. When Godfrey makes a shocking decision that involves a German woman named Gerte, can the family find new meaning in what makes a home?

Director Tasia A . Jones says. “We may find ourselves scrounging for crumbs from the table of joy, as we search for something to help us get from one day to the next. As we watch the Crumps wrestle with many questions of identity, love, faith, and belonging, I hope we can let the theatre be a sanctuary. I hope it can be a place for us to find our own answers to our deepest questions. I hope we can let it be a sacred space to feel whatever we need to feel, and I hope it can also be a space for us to forget if that’s what we need right now.”

Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and a 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 all Boston Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, University of  Wyoming, Askews and Holts Library Services in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, Amazon etc…  He has been published in prestigious publications such as Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World anthologies out of India, Poets Reading the News, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide, Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene among others…Visit him at:  http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury.

First of all, an announcement from contributor Chimezie Ihekuna, who is seeking an investor/executive producer for the project, One Man’s Deep Words. It is set in the US.

Produced By Vincent Turner, Developed By Robert Sacchi, 115 pages. Phase: Pre-production/Development, Budget Estimation: $23,000-314,000. Pitch deck and budget list available, please email synchchaos@gmail.com if interested.

Charles Griffin, a philosophy professor, is challenged by Adam, one of his students, over his unruly behaviour while lecturing. Though Charles is unhappy lecturing by the books, Adam’s challenge becomes the inspiration behind his nascent philosophy.

The first issue of 2025 presents a Lazy Susan of Ideas. This phrase comes from Desiree Richter, author of The Presence of Absence, about the accidental death of her young son and her journey out of rigid religious fundamentalism, out recently from the University of New Orleans Press.

In a recent interview on the podcast I Was a Teenage Fundamentalist, Richter describes reading a wide variety of books in her time of grief and being exposed to a whole “lazy Susan of ideas.”

This month’s contributors present a whole turntable of thoughts as well. Some, like Richter’s, are in response to personal or larger griefs, while others are philosophical or introspective or academic or celebratory.

Jack Mellender travels on a lyrical romp through many decades of wild living in California. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva celebrates her educational and personal accomplishments. Ashraful Kabir conveys the journey of self-discovery with a metaphor of a boat ride as Abeera Mizra renders personal awakenings through determined verse and Nick Gunter laments that a person doesn’t recognize his capacity to change. Shukurillayeva Lazzatoy Shamshodovna outlines some pathways towards building new and positive habits while Robiya Ismailjonova brings a spiritual perspective to her call for moral accountability and repentance.

Nathanael Johnson highlights the internal struggles of a boy as he figures out how to grow into a man. Jessica Hu illustrates the self-destructive urges that can come with moments of despair.

Linette Rabsatt’s poetry prepares us for comfort, then joggles our mind with clever contradictions. Marc Frazier’s introspective poetry probes childhood, memory, desire, mortality, and our search for meaning. Noah Berlatsky humorously explores the sometimes-vague boundaries between whimsy and reality. Mark Young’s postwoman pieces frame the world’s many random offerings as gifts to be opened and explored. Susie Gharib speaks to the stories we take from history, mythology, literature, and science. Peter Cherches’ humorous story highlights the wonder, curiosity, and humor that emerges as very different beings meet each other.

Eva Petropoulou Lianou interviews Jeanette Eureka Tiburcio, president of a women’s intellectual organization, on how her new book is a fulfillment of a childhood dream and on her wishes for the world.

Yahia Lababidi’s book What Remains to Be Said shares aphorisms and blurbs of his wisdom. Gulsora Mulikboyeva reflects on the impact of a teacher who inspired her to better write in her native Uzbek language.

Farangiz Abduvahidova outlines the life and literary works of Uzbek poetess Mohlaroyim and her importance to Uzbekistan’s literary heritage. Maftuna Bozorova honors the cultural legacy of Uzbek poet Alexander Feinberg. Aziza Burkhonova discusses various pedagogical techniques for language learning. Olimova Shahina explores creative ways to teach English. Eva Lianou Petropoulou outlines the accomplishments of Italian Naive panter Nino Camardo. Mamazoirova Rayhona regales us with poetry on the beauty of the colorful Uzbek flag. Federico Wardal interviews Dr. Ahmed Elsersawy on his renewed efforts towards cultural partnership between Egypt and the United States.

Rachida Belkacem’s bilingual poetry evokes a transcendent spiritual companionship. Gabriela Peinado Bertalmio elucidates the beauty of the love between a mother and child. Rahmiddinova Mushtariy pays tribute to her wise and caring father. Duane Vorhees explores sensual intimacy from a variety of angles and perspectives. Lan Qyqalla jumps ahead to Valentine’s Day and autumn in his metaphoric and mythical love poems. Graciela Noemi Villaverde, within intricate verse, compares her love to a sunset and to the dawn.

Kassandra Aguilera illuminates the exquisite agony of unrequited love. After losing love, Taylor Dibbert finds unexpected comfort in solitude.

Don Edwards’ poetry deals with themes of love, loss, uncertainty, and the corrosive nature of domination and control on love. David Sapp’s poems critique the ease and sexiness all too many people have given to forms of violence and domination. Daniel De Culla lampoons dictators, and those with the ambition to become such, from around the world, including the U.S. Pat Doyne mourns the recent U.S. presidential election by parodying a famous poem about a loss in baseball.

Fayowole Benjamin’s poetry laments the toll of war on civilians and families. Mesfakus Salahin reflects on how some of the world is still reeling after the two world wars of the past century. Mykyta Ryzhykh evokes wartime and unanswered calls for love. Through his tale of violation and self-defense, Bill Tope highlights the ubiquitous problem of sexual violence. Christopher Bernard explicates and excoriates the violence inherent within neoliberalism manifested through healthcare systems, showing how organizations and procedures can be more destructive than thugs on the street.

Mirta Ramirez’ piece highlights how true romantic love can inspire artistic and intellectual creativity. Abigail George expresses her poetic hopes for peace in the Middle East as Lidia Popa highlights how artistic creation and the sharing of ideas can be noble pursuits bringing people together across cultures.

Z.I. Mahmud digs out the psychological and sociological and spiritual themes embedded within Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot, the tale of two “everymen” condemned, or blessed, with eternal anticipation. Arjun Razdan probes our obligations to each other in his short story “The Misanthrope” and questions what we owe each other and the best ways to do good.

Peter J. Dellolio’s novel The Confession elucidates the psyche of a condemned man who may or may not be guilty. J.J. Campbell’s poetry emanates from the lingering effects of childhood abuse, memories particularly acute around the holidays. Jake Triola’s poetry troubles itself with the state of the world and the speaker’s perceived personal failures, yet finds solace in walking outdoors.

Jumanazarov Zohidjon ponders the calming beauty of rain while Sayani Mukherjee celebrates a beautiful day on the green earth. O’tkir Mulikboyev pays homage to snow, trees in winter, romance, his home country, song, cheer, childhood, and the holidays. Brian Barbeito reflects on nature and his childhood on a still, snowy day. Jacques Fleury revels in a woodland dawn and the diversity and richness of the natural world. Corey Cook’s new haiku chapbook heads held low hallows a sacred moment when a cardinal bird sings in an empty church.

Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photography illuminates the glory of a city lit up at night for Christmas. Marc Frazier’s photography spotlights moments of intersection among nature, urbanity, and the human imagination. In Mahbub Alam’s piece, a couple watches a thunderstorm from indoors through a window, captivated by the effects of the wind. In contrast, Sodiqova Adolatxon’s poetic speaker gets tired of staying inside through a rainstorm and longs to go back outdoors.

Nurmurodova Gulsoda explores elements of trigonometry in her piece, reveling in the beauty of mathematics as one of the languages of nature. Jasur Mulikboyev celebrates the way a gifted chemistry teacher makes the material come alive for students. Ruxshona Toxirova presents some methods for better diagnostics and treatment for children with type 2 diabetes.

Maftuna Mehrojova outlines the need for and progress towards sustainable and green economic development in Uzbekistan. Alisher Muhtarjonov issues a strident call for people of the world to protect nature.

Eva Lianou Petropoulou encourages us to choose care and respect for others in the face of life’s personal and global struggles. Zuhra Ruzmetova celebrates the New Year and the dawning of renewed hope. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa reflects on the meaning of the nativity scene and on starting afresh to choose kindness and a compassionate attitude in the New Year.

Photo is of a young Central Asian woman with dark hair, brown eyes, and a gray pant suit over a white collared top speaking at a podium.

Abduvahidova Farangiz

2nd stage student of Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov. 

Abduxalilboyev Alisher 3rd stage student of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad Al-Khorazmi​​​​. Uzbekistan. 

Artistic arts found in Nadirabegim’s life path and ghazals.

Abstract: In the article, we have mentioned the life path and literary heritage of our poetess Mohlaroyim, who made a great contribution to the development of Uzbek poetry. Also, we will get acquainted with the explanation of the artistic tools used in her ghazals and the sentences that are the basis for the creation of this art.

Key words: Nadira, Maknuna, Komila, metaphor, tazad, ghazal, muhammas, literary environment.

Our talented poet Mohlaroyim, who wrote ghazals in Persian and Turkish under the pseudonyms “Komila”, “Maknuna” and “Nadira”, was born in 1792 in the family of Andijan governor Rahmonqulbi. He was not only a teacher, but also an enlightener and a statesman. In 1807, Nadira was married to Omar Khan, governor of Margilan. Nadira plays a major role in shaping the literary atmosphere in the palace. The reason is that her husband Omar Khan also created under the pseudonym Amiri. Nadira meets Uvaisi and invites him to the palace as a teacher. In 1810, Amir Olim Khan dies and Umar Khan comes to the throne. From this year, Nadira will continue her work in Kokon. Due to the tragic death of Amir Umar Khan in 1822, his son Madali Khan took over the throne. During Madali Khan’s rule, many madrasahs, mosques, caravanserais were built and served to improve the creative environment. Nadirabegim and his family were executed by Amir Nasrullah, the ruler of Bukhara Emirate in 1842.

 Although the poetess did not live long, her works of about 10,000 verses were inherited. In addition to ghazals, he also penned mukhammas, rubai, and fard genres. In his ghazals, separation and grief are sincerely described and he continued the traditions of famous poets such as Navoi, Bedil, and Fuzuli. There are 19 (328 verses) ghazals under the pseudonym “Komila”, and one divan with 333 ghazals under the pseudonym “Maknuna”. Under the pseudonym “Nadira” 180 poems are collected, 136 of them are in the Uzbek language, 44 in the Tajik language. Among them, there are 11 muhammas, 2 musaddas, 1 muhammas, 1 translation, 1 table of contents and 1 statement.  

Nadira’s radiative ghazals “Vasl uyin obod mem…”, “Marhabo”, “Dahrni examinet ke te”, “Sogindim” are very popular. A number of artistic arts were also used to make the ghazals more subtle.

I improved the house, but it was destroyed by the emigration

Unfortunately, this building was destroyed.

In this verse, the art of tazad was created by means of the words prosperity and destruction. Tazad is an art created by imitating things. Seli ghamdin is used in the meaning of a flood of sorrow and was the basis for the creation of the art of Mubolaga. Exaggeration is the art of exaggerating beyond belief.

He did it until the piraham stain revealed my tongue,

I don’t have any more love hidden in my heart.

The words love, heart, and soul created the art of harmony, and the words open and hidden created contrast. Contrast is an art created by contrasting things. Proportion – Many art forms rely on the spiritual association of words in poetry. It is the poet’s use of words that are logically related to each other and require each other.

Zahida, forgive the people of love,

What happened to Sheikh San’an in Yor Bay?

This verse describes the art of talmeh. Sheikh San’an used this art by mentioning his name. Ishq, love, asceticism are the basis of the art of relationship. The art of proportion is formed from cognate words and synonyms in linguistics. Talmeh is one of the widely used art forms in classical poetry. In this, the poet summarizes his thoughts by referring to a famous story, event or work, person. 

Although there was a special order of the giants,

After all, Suleiman died in a bad way.

Mor is the art of dev tazad, Sulayman is the art of talmeh.

Because the jewel of my heart is blood instead of love,

 Tears dripped from my eyesThis verse uses the art of tashbeh, the gem of love – the gem of love. Allegory is one of the most productive poetic arts widely used in literature. It can be said to make it into Uzbek. In metaphor, things, signs, and actions are described by analogy and comparison. In addition, another art was involved in this very verse. It emphasizes the tears through the word necklace. This art is called metaphor. Istiora is an Arabic word that means “borrowing”. One thing is called by another name.

My figon, the collar of my son,

I am very sad, my heart, you are not aware of it.

In this verse, the word “heart” is used as an exhortation. From the fine arts, it was the basis for the art of exclamation. Nido is distinguished from other poetic arts by its ability to openly and powerfully describe the feelings and emotions of the human heart. In this case, the thought is focused on a person or an object.

If you want to repair the Kaaba,

Turn the broken heart into a prosperous one.

In this verse, the word Ka’ba is contrasted with the words talmeh and abad – ruin. In our linguistics, the words that form the art of contrast are called antonyms – words with opposite meanings.

The work of the poetess is a great heritage for us. Despite being the wife of the king, Nadirabegim did not stop her creativity. He worked to make people and people intelligent and enlightened people. He managed to unite the intellectuals of that time around him. Life at that time was a little easier. The work of the poet began to be studied during her lifetime and works dedicated to her were created. For example, “Tuhvatut-tawarikh” by Avazmuhammad Attar, “Muntahabut-tavarikh” by Hakim Khan Tora, “History of Fargana” by Ishaq Khan Tora, “Haft Gulshan” by Nadir-uzlat. We saw the poetic arts in the analysis of the poet’s ghazals and analyzed them. We will continue the analysis in our next work.

List of used literature.

1) 10th grade literature part 1. “National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan” state scientific publication.: Tashkent – 2017

2) 6th grade literature part 2. “Spirituality”.: Tashkent – 2017.

3) Uz.m.wikipedia.org

4) knowledge.uz

5) n.ziyouz.com

Green


A slowly cacophonous morning
Screaming of faultless surprises
I call back at the ruinous evening
The way the sea chanters will sing
And mourn the last evening
The soil of earth soaked happiness
The numbness, the choice of green fragility
The bemoaning madness of survival of green moist
Is this a new horizon of tumultuous ocean? 
I sign and beck a call of happiness
The night knows thousand epiphanies
A fireglow at the tale end 
Till I lose my breathe for the sky line wine. 

I love the rain

I love the rain, its gentle touch

A soothing balm, I love so much

It washes away my worries and pain

And fills my soul with peace again

The pitter-patter on the window pane

A symphony of nature’s refrain

The earth drinks in its sweet embrace

And all the world seems in its place

The air is cool, the scent is clean

A tranquil beauty, rarely seen

I love to dance in the falling drops

And feel the rhythm, my heart never stops

The rain brings life to every living thing

A gift from above, like a melody to sing

I love the rain, its calming sound

It brings me joy, wherever it’s found

Jumanazarov Zohidjon Eldor’s son was born on March 14, 2006 in Narpay district of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Samarkand region. Nation is Uzbek. Incomplete education. In 2012-2023 he studied at the 16th comprehensive school of Narpay district of Samarkand region. In 2023, the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture was admitted to the “Culture and Arts Management” on the basis of a grant. He has achieved a lot of success during school and now. During the institute, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and in December 2023, set a global ranking record for IQ (40 seconds).

Sometimes

Sometimes you wake up and you find no strength to come out of the bed

Believe me

You are not the only one

Sometimes you see the past.

You see the present

And you just wonder

What have I done all those years 

Believe me 

Many people had the same question

You look yourself in the mirror and you like nothing

But this is a reaction of 90% of people

That is life

We called life

A beautiful miracle

And day and night 

Is coming and go

Go out

See the sun

Have a great day

Walk to the sea

Think positive

You decide if you will be happy or sad

You decide only

Life is for everyone

We don’t have any manual

How to live

How to succeed

We fight everyday

And if we find love in this journey

Then we can consider ourselves as lucky

Keep dreaming

Keep believing

Miracles happens

…….

Peace, 

So expensive

We buy so many weapons

To maintain it

If we pray more

If we were kind to each other

We could say

We have Peace of mind

Poetic heart

Call for meditation

Inside our heart

Peace,

We say a lot

We make nothing

Peace,

Such as a woman

We adore

But few can get

Peace,

A value with no cost

If the humans understand the word…

I wish one day….

Nothing

Nothing belongs to us

We are free

We are the captain of our soul..

Nobody can say this or that  and you must execute

.

Nobody belongs to us

We are choosing according our feelings

Our thoughts

Our beliefs

Our stomach

If  a person make you laugh

The more u want to be with this person

We are nobody

We are nothing

More than the butterfly

Than the bee…

We are no creators but small ants

Or cigals

Or wolves

Show respect

Kindness

But no trust

Trust your instinct

Trust your heart

We are nothing more than a fly

We are nothing more than a bird

Laugh to your heart

Love your inner soul

And put your frequency high

Touch the stars

Make a wish

Stay a happy child

……

Eva Petropoulou-Lianou was born in Xylokastro, Greece. Initially she loved journalism and in 1994 she worked as a journalist for the French newspaper “Le Libre Journal” but her love for Greece won her over and she returned in 2002. She has published books and eBooks: “Me and my other self, my shadow” Saita publications, “Geraldine and the Lake Elf” in English – French, as well as “The Daughter of the Moon”, in the fourth edition, in Greek – English, Oselotos publications. Her work has been included in the Greek Encyclopedia Haris Patsis, p. 300. Her books have been approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus, for the Student and Teacher library.

Her new books, “The Fairy of the Amazon, Myrtia “dedicated to Myrto with a disability, and” Lefkadios Hearn, Myths and Stories of the Far East “, illustrated by Sumi-e painter Dina Anastasiadou, will be released in 2019. She recently published her book,” The Adventures of Samurai Nogas san “in English by a publishing company, based in England. She collaborates with the electronic literary magazine The poet magazine. She is a partner with the International Literary Union based in America. She collaborates for the promotion of literature and promotes the work of Greek poets.

Eva is a member of the “Association Alia Mundi Serbia”, the “International Society of Writers and Artists of Greece” and the “Piraeus Society of Letters and Arts” as well as the Corinthian Writers Society, the Greece Association, Mille Minds of Mexico, the International Ambassador of Namaste Magazine, the Advisor and Editor-in-Chief of Web Magazine in Hubei, China, an advisor and editorial board member of Las Olas del Arte in Belgium, the Vice President of the Global Circle Cultural Association in China and Mexico, the founder and editor-in-chief of Acheron Magazine in Greece and Vietnam, and an official 2024 candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. UNESCO Italy and UNESCO Mauritania have awarded her books.

Evolution

Despite a lot of searching, no road can be seen today.

The only way is to go wrong,

Wandering in the wrong direction;

I lost consciousness on my troubled feet, 

Just behind the illuminated light in an imaginary way.

This is not an intoxication at all

As with any other branches of thought;

Surrounds me like a narcotic.

Question-arrows are thrown at the shadowy time of evening

Hieroglyphic is diagnosed during the trip;

Flying unknowingly, I get indifferent and disappointed, 

Just sit across from the thought behind the conversation.

Yet the same path is often repeated;

I wish I could float a Sampan-boat,

I anchor somewhere near the new lake,

And deliberately change the radar – to the North-south-east-west

Being Amundsen, get involved in searching a new path

Only a difficult vow remains inside the pole of mind.

The pathways are all colourful today. 

The algae and wild high-grasses have sprouted 

Got leaned and worn out. 

Day goes by, night goes by and while waiting for eternity –            

The exhausted path of discovery only turns into an amphibian.

Ashraful Kabir is an essayist & literary critic from East Rampura, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He can be reached at raselasraful@gmail.com