A Khajuraho evening

[ Khajuraho is a World Heritage Site in Central India, famous for its temples. Written with the Khajuraho Dance Festival in mind.]

Beehive peeks, temple granites
silhouetted against the scarlet

with elegant steps she swayed
submerged in a flute
in the recite of a mridangam

Her rhythmic grace
wrapped me within the wings
of another nightfall

jewels glittered
in ripples of ecstasy

beads of sweat adorned her hairline

I followed the steps
of ancientness

antediluvian dark beckoned me
inside shrines of myth

when Gods, Goddesses used to breathe
a simpler breath