Fireworks in the Courtyard

(Indian Miniature, Pahari School, 1750-1800)

A stream of golden stars falls from the lady's hennaed hand twinkling like the sari on her hair, a shower of fire that fills onlookers' eyes. They understand how she lights hearts with flares of wonder with the sparkles flying through the dark. And someone else paints showers of light, the golden arc of rain, moving its spell from her time into ours.