River by Chipka
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Description
Rivers have always drawn my affections. My favorite cities are all bisected by arteries of water. Prague is watered by the wide, serene, and sometimes unpredictable Vltava. Moscow—from what I hear—derives a part of it’s distinctive smell from the river of the same name. Chicago—a great city, but not my favorite—is made a bit more complicated by the branching and rebranching of a river that is dyed green once a year. And now, because of my new job, I can say that I cross the Chicago River twice a day. On my way to work, I pass over it. On my way home, I pass under it, as I’m keen to take the more direct route from one place to another. Passing under a river is far less interesting than passing over one.
I still worked in the moving business when I took this photograph. I still dreaded Mondays. I dreaded the prospect of moving heavy things with co-workers I could scarcely communicate with. There are times when one wishes to discuss more than social trivialities, and at such times, it’s woefully depressing to realize that even Lady Gaga exceeds the conversational abilities of one’s co-workers.
Those days are over now, and a marker of that is the Chicago River. Though I don’t get to talk to my current co-workers very much, I find it refreshing that I at least work across the street from a store that sells used books. I find it refreshing that I cross the Chicago River, twice a day, and if I’m willing, I get to see Chicago at night, nearly every night. I’m pleased by the fact that in theory, the weather is warming up. This opens up the possibility of more night shots, more story ideas…more explorations of what it is to live in a city and to find one’s life governed by the strange, almost tidal rhythms of a city itself. (Chicago, like any city, is governed by tides: commercial tides as I call them. The moon has nothing to do with them. There is an ebb and a flow, high tide and low tide; there are motions and moods associated with each, and downtown Chicago at low tide, is as intriguing a place as any.)
I crossed the Chicago River, one evening, in search of…something. I can’t remember what. I found the city at rest. Low tide determined what I saw and what I felt. There was a sense of calm in the air, a lisping, whispering species of somnolence. There were few people out and about: few pedestrians at any rate. The gods of banking, insurance, and tourism were asleep: preparing themselves for the following day, and so I had the city to myself…at least subjectively. In my walk, I crossed the river. I thought of the Moscow River and the Amur River, dividing the city of Khabarovsk. I thought of these cities, because of Victor. He, like me, is a river creature. He, like me, is bored by the city of his birth, and so the Amur River is one he scarcely sees. I thought of the Vltava River as well…Pavl’s river, Štépán’s river, Kača’s river. (The Chicago River, in comparison, is narrow…but deep, and occasionally, very-very green.)
The Chicago River is, perhaps, the most pleasant aspect of my new job. As a river it reminds me of its companions in the Czech Republic and in Russia. It reminds me of the people I have come to know and miss. There are other people in other places, to be sure, and there are rivers in such places as well, but I have yet to visit them. I am sure that I will. That’s the thing about rivers. Ultimately, they lead to the same places, the same salty oceans, and in a way, something of everyone reaches the same place. There is comfort in this thought, just as there is comfort in any city at night, when the tides of commerce are at their lowest, and the sounds of the night itself are all that you can hear.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend and are on the verge of a great week.
Comments (28)
jocko500
lovely night shot
Jean_C
Excellent city night image, and all the reflections in the river...
xxancroft
As always good to see your work - photographic and written. Certainly raises the level of thinking In Aotearoa (NZ) the Maori formally identify themselves at meetings with their name, their Iwi (Tribe) and Hapu (family clan within the tribe). They also identify their Maunga (mountain) and their Awa (river). Its a form of geo-tagging themselves to their place. This tradition is still alive despite urban drift along blacktop highways and across the Tasman in flying waka (canoes) to Aussie. Revelation tells of a river in a city of light - Could it be Chicago?
helanker
OHH GOSH! this is soo beautiful, Chip. It just took my breath away. I would LUV some day to take such a shot. Your thoughts over this photo are just awesome to read. I was almost there myself. SO superb in all.
Faemike55
Very beautiful capture and captivating discussion of your thoughts and feelings regarding the rivers of water and rivers of thoughts & communication
kgb224
Love the writing and the capture my friend. I also took some night shots today from atop the Boiler House roof. I will share a night capture tomorrow my friend. God Bless.
sandra46
GORGEOUS WORK
EJD64
Great view of the Chicago River.
tofi
Really very gorgeous, Chip! This scene is sensational in so many ways! You know, in spite of living in the big city, one would think to be exposed to this and be numbed by such beauty! And yet… quite to the contrary. It actually is inspiring, I find to think about, and remind myself of what I could actually be a part of if I dared to wander out at this time of night… the water has such a sensational reflection to it… the glassy glow and very mood that it emits is something out of this world. Incredible lighting you've captured, my Friend! This is beyond beautiful, and has captured my affection and amazement as well!
CoreyBlack
Ironically,this is the type of shot the Chicago Board of Tourism dearly loves. And a great shot it is, too. You captured, in word and image, that Romantic nighttime urban vibe here. Wonderful work.
Osper
Nice shot!! It's just right!
MrsRatbag
I love that the buildings seem to be sprouting from the river, like some type of giant waterweed. Beautiful capture, Chip!
Richardphotos
I am happy my days of moving heavy things around to paint are over.I can appreciate your job.nice night cityscape
evielouise
Chip you need to visit Montreal and see the beautiful ST Lawrence River Love the explanation story and photo
beachzz
This river is amazing--it runs right thru the city and I'll bet most people don't even see it. I love this particular shot a lot, the light, the reflections, the water---really, really GREAT!!
durleybeachbum
You transport me there with your words. The picture is indeed beautiful but I have a horror of high rise however colourful. It does look much better at night, for sure.
auntietk
What an absolutely gorgeous, exciting, marvellous image! We have a creek that runs through our back yard, but it's NOTHING like this! :D
nikolais
fabulous image, Chip! especially with the music of your words
whaleman
Great shot Chip!
fallen21
Amazing night capture!
flavia49
marvelous image
thecytron
Awesome city light illumination fX!
angora
fantastic shot!!!
cfulton
I like you observation of the rivers all being connected. Much like we all are, fishing in our electronic tributaries, looking into pools of light and sharing sights and thoughts from around the world. We sail rivers that have their own tides and currents too. Navigation back to places we enjoy is the key. Thank you! Clive
RodS
Ahhh - this is just gorgeous, Chip! I love nighttime cityscapes - and sooo much better if there's a handy river to catch the reflected lights. Awesome capture!
icerian
Dear Chip, I like how you see the Universe, how to see every day life sceneries. You have mentioned Prague, which pleases me because I am living there and ... it is true. I never have been in Moscow, not yet. But I believe you.
praep
Beautiful lights. A real nice shot - i almost hear the river whisper.
danapommet
An excellent night shot and a lot of light reflecting off the Chicago River.