“Streets of Delhi” from “The Whisper of a Saint”
“At last the bus engine roared to grinding life, the interior lights dimmed, and the vehicle edged out into the night traffic of New Delhi. Corners of columned buildings were spotlit to render their upper stretches turquoise and their windows electric blue. Distant streetlight bulbs glowed golden like luminous balls kicked heavenward. Fountains jetted up at irregular heights like variously statured family members. Trees, stalking monsters, brooded in shadow beside light-patched roadways. And, all around the bus, vehicles of every size and shape maneuvered and darted, paused and raced. Taxis blared their horns at mosquito scooters. Vans edged dangerously close to two friends astride a motorcycle.”