River Glow

Paden Horton, '25

There's a little place I know 

right on the river

    if you walk all the way into 

the center of the city,

there’s a place 

where the river 

cuts through 

     the city streets. 

The building there, the market, right on the water

(yes, the one right on top of the river itself)

is home to my favorite food spot.

For when the sun goes down

and the yellow street lights come up 

   the river starts to glow 

       with bioluminescent life.

The walk past the night vendors 

selling food on sticks 

and fizzling drinks 

    to anyone 

  who spares a passing glance

is overwhelming 

yet charming

    and worth it 

For when you finally get to the river spot 

entering it’s large golden doors

the smell of otherworldly delights 

fills your nose.

There are more vendors

and restaurants 

that seat you on 

giant lilypads

on the water.

And as you eat, you see the koi 

larger than man 

   swim past 

so elegant and almost regal

like a river dragon

or spirit.

They glow too, 

one out of every group

that passes by 

with vibrant magama esc 

glowing orange designs. 

The warm lights 

and smell of sweet marinated beef, curries and long cooked stews

make a home, out of a building 

they once wanted to buldoze and remove

Though it is only open at night 

I think it’s the price you pay

to have a place like this. 

A place where 

small fish with big whiskers 

beg for sweet corn 

from restaurant patrons 

like puppies.

Guppies destined to grow 

into majestic river spirits. 

Where drunk men 

are cheered on

for their 

at best 

      terrible attempts at karaoke.

  Where the food is always hot

and the welcome is always warm

and your absence 

is noticed

by people you never realized 

even noticed your presence.