Lighting the darkness

I am sitting here listening to the repeat from all over the city of fireworks. As I look out my patio window, I see candles burning on the rooftops and balconies all around me. No evil demons will plague Delhi tonight. The city has faithfully adhered to the practice of Diwali. Light has filled the skies. The doorbell rang just as I sat down to write this note. Cousins of my landlord came with sweet cakes and a diya candle. Outside, below the terrace where my neighbor and I sat the last hour, the guards have lit and stationed candles along the walls of our house. At Christmas we light candles to stave off darkness and here, too, for centuries, Hindis have used light to force back the dark as the days get shorter. May you all have a year of light and peace (if the fireworks don't catch your house on fire).

Good night.