The one with two lives

Poetry consists of “making notes in the margins of that photo album that is life”. Emilio Quintana Above: Archidona, Málaga Province, España Sunday 1 September 2024 Eskişehir, Türkiye In a sense, the poet lives not one life, but two: The life of he who holds the pen that makes the poem and the poem which… Continue reading The one with two lives

The recumbent lion

Above: The natural phenomenon of the karst erosion in El Torcal de Antequera, Andalusia, España “Throw the lumber over, man! Let your Boat of Life be light, packed with only what you need – a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a… Continue reading The recumbent lion

Man cave

Above: Dolmen de Menga panorama, Antequera, España Eskişehir, Türkiye Friday 23 August 2024 As more people move to our cities there is one problem that planners have to face up to: Where are they going to put everyone? Above: Porsuk Çayı (Badger Stream), Eskişehir (Old City), Türkiye (Turkey) The lack of affordable accommodation is the… Continue reading Man cave

An introduction to death

Above: Bullring, Antequera, España Eskişehir, Türkiye Wednesday 21 August 2024 I love my wife. But loving someone does not necessarily mean that you are comfortable with the differences between you and your romantic other. My wife is an efficient German. She does not wish to waste her time. She had witnessed flamenco dancing in Valencia… Continue reading An introduction to death

The torment of the Tarasca

Above: The Tarasca, Antequera, España ‘Twas brillig and the slithy tovesDid gyre and gimble in the wabe;All mimsy were the borogoves,And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!Beware the Jubjub bird and shunThe frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand:Long time the manxome foe… Continue reading The torment of the Tarasca

Antequera: In transit

Eskişehir, Türkiye Saturday 10 August 2024 “No young person under 40 is ever to be allowed to travel abroad under any circumstances. Nor is anyone to be allowed to go for private reasons, but only on some public business, as a herald or ambassador or as an observer of one sort or another.“ Plato, The… Continue reading Antequera: In transit

Let the sun rise over Antequera

Above: Sunrise, Antequera, España Eskişehir, Türkiye Tuesday 6 August 2024 I want to liveI want to giveI’ve been a minerFor a heart of goldIt’s these expressionsI never giveThat keep me searchingFor a heart of goldAnd I’m getting oldKeep me searchingFor a heart of goldAnd I’m getting old I’ve been to HollywoodI’ve been to RedwoodI crossed… Continue reading Let the sun rise over Antequera

Of a jazz that I feel

Above: Composition for Jazz, Albert Gleizes (1915), Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City Eskişehir, Türkiye Wednesday 24 July 2024 Last Sunday evening at Starbucks with a new student after my classes at the school have ended. He is an educated man, a well-seasoned man, despite being half my age. Not that unusual. But to… Continue reading Of a jazz that I feel

The port of refuge

Sunday 7 July 2024 Eskişehir, Türkiye “The primary concern of religion should be to provide a practical solution of life. The heavenly reward is too remote. The return should be brought within the earthly span. People can now understand as universally accessible the miracle of the renewal of possibilities. Hence, either the hand of the… Continue reading The port of refuge

A separate Málaga

Tuesday 2 July 2024 Eskişehir, Türkiye Fair land! of chivalry, the old domain,Land of the vine and olive, lovely Spain!Though not for thee with classic shores to vieIn charms that fix th’ enthusiast’s pensive eye;Yet hast thou scenes of beauty richly fraughtWith all that wakes the glow of lofty thought. Felicia Hemans (1793 – 1835), Abencerrage… Continue reading A separate Málaga