21.11.25 - just by the seine river

Just by the seine river, the alley has gone quiet. 

It’s friday night, and people are flocking in the streets with their friends, colleagues- to call the end of the weekday, to celebrate another passing week. People are laughing, jumping in excitement, doing little movements to heat their bodies amidst the freezing (early) winter. The street is full of jubilence, because it is the end of weekday.

But just by the seine, just by the riverbank, the alley has gone quiet.

Some people, very few one, resorted to the tranquility offered by the seine river amidst the chaos of the main streets. One stair down the street, with warm light illuminating the riverbank, some people are finding solace and peace- including me.

Just at the opposite site of the river, 3 teenagers are sitting by the river, chattering and enjoying their youth moment. I’m wondering if they realise that this random night they spend together will never come back. Well maybe it will, but it will not be with the same feelings- the feeling when they are still clueless about the future, and have not also been corrupted by hopelessness of adulthood.

Just at the bench right next to me, a couple are spending their time together. Sharing whispers of laughters and intimacy. I wonder how long they have been together, and how many times they forgive each other- to never give up, despite the adversities and clashes of hearts?

A few stone’s away from me at the opposite side, an old man is sitting on the bench by himself. ‘What could he pondering upon during this quiet night?’

A middle age person jogging through the riverbank just by wearing shorts, passing by me. ‘How is he not cold? what makes him keep going, despite the chilling breeze?’

A ferry called ‘bateaux parisiens’ went through- disrupting the harmonic flow of the wave and light. I sit still in the bench, watching the water. It takes 3 minutes, 5 minutes-10 minutes, till the wave stabilise back. I guess that’s how life is. At one phase, it feels like life is full of turbulence, each day unresolved with new wounds and disturbance. At that moment, it felt like forever.

But we keep going, against the tide, against the harshness. Second by second, minutes, by minutes, days by days. 

Until we find ourself again, until we find our rhythm back, just like those old days.
Just like how the waves calm down after the passing of the ferry.
It’s all temporary. 

And then, there’s me, sitting by myself, admiring the glistening reflection of the warm street on the water. They look like sparkles. The wind blow softly, pushing the small waves- orchestrating the slow movement of illuminating light on it. How beautiful it is. 

Just by the seine river, I am accompanied by the silent stillness. Just staying, just being, absorbing the feeling of becoming, while longing for a soul in her heart.

playing bgm: la petite fille de la mer by vangelis

22:16 vendredi ,

seine river, 

paris