Spotlight Through the Stars

I slipped back inside from the patio and headed straight for the dim living room corner. Sitting on the nightstand was a small pierced-metal lantern, its geometric cutout stars completely dark. Scaling the bedside book stack, I reached the tea-light toggle underneath and clicked it on. A fierce, golden glow burst through the pierced casing, showering sharp star patterns across the dark ceiling and walls. I stood atop the leather book binding, bathed in the shimmering constellation, striking my favorite center-stage pose before calling it a night.