Section I

Although the river flows through the city, and despite ithe city's deriving its own essence from its existence, hardly anyone ever gives it a second look. Without fanfare, with an understanding, mischievous twinkle in its eye, it flows on. Giving generously from its own bounty, and accepting filth, it channels down far from its home, across plains, through mountains, to meet oblivion -- the unbounded sea.

And yet each drop drawn from its seemingly boundless spring forges its own existence, pulsates in the beings that themselves give the city its heartbeat.