At first glance, the gates here all look much the same, differing only in details, a wisteria trellis here, a …
At first glance, the gates here all look much the same, differing only in details, a wisteria trellis here, a magnolia tree there. Only one place stood out. The racks rose higher than the roofs themselves, draped with bright silks and gold brocade. When the sun hits them, they look like tavern flags snapping in the wind, so striking you can spot them from far off. I had to make note of it.
Only when I got closer did I realize the trees beside the tall racks were covered in blossoms. I had missed them at first, dazzled by the dyed fabric, like a rainbow spilled from the heavens, outshining the flowers.
Beneath the racks, palace workers hurried back and forth. They looked smaller than the bolts they were working, but their hands never stopped. Sweat ran down their faces, dripping into the dye vats before they could even wipe it away, mixing with those brilliant colors. All the splendor in this palace, how much sweat does it take to dye it all? When I looked up at those lengths of fabric again, they no longer seemed so beautiful.