The Lantern Canal Market

By midday, the canal had carried half the market away: a pepper, three floating petals, and the blue ribbon from a baker’s sleeve. The fish took everything gently. In return, they left bright scales beneath the stalls, payment for the aromas drifting through the vaulted streets. At closing, the merchants swept the water with reed brooms and sang to the arches. Tomorrow’s rain would bring new customers, they said, and perhaps the ribbon’s owner.