Binevlar in May

Binevlar in May

Binevlar means “Thousand Houses”. Indeed there are at least that many multi-family dwellings, four floors or more, between broad boulevards bound by narrow back streets and cat spawning alleys. In May, the roses bloom again, red and white and pink and gold. The empty lots erupt in a million poppies the color of the many Turkish crimson flags that hang from balconies. Wedding season: At night the car horns bleat out the good news. Babies will be conceived. At morning, the birds sing a tapestry of songs, fresh as the air that dries a thousand shampooed carpets hung out in the sun. Now, after the Ramadan fast has ended, even in these anxious times, there are glimpses of Allah's paradise reflected here in our humble neighborhood.