Ayçiçekleri, Or Sunflowers in Central Turkey, a photo essay

 

The Turkish word, ayçiçekleri, translates literally into English as "moonflowers." Proof, as if necessary, of one more difference in perspective between East and West. 

These 16 photos were taken on rural roads in central Turkey, off the beaten path. 

Gentian, A Basil Rosa Essay Published In The Argyle

GENTIAN

This essay appeared in The Argyle Literary Magazine, Issue #3, May 2024. Here is a link: https://www.theargylelitmag.com/nonfiction/gentian

And here below is an excerpt:

Gentian

It’s a day 

when I believe everything important happens far, far away from where I stand. Two of my brothers, Mark and Steven, and I are shoveling our driveway yet again. We breathe, we work with such vigor. When I pause, I look up to the sky and see it washed metallic and bright and empty of clouds, and I think of it as the boldest, most memorable sky I’ve ever seen. I can also see and smell the ripples of heat radiating from the roof of our iced-up house with its eaves toothed with icicles, and I remember that Mother is in the kitchen baking two loaves of her date-nut bread—one for us boys and one to sell at an annual church fundraiser.... 

Tallinn, Estonia, a photo essay