Raj Mahal Palace, Orccha
Chalk, orpiment, malachite, ultramarine, azurite, cinnabar
pounded, sieved and mixed take river, god, human and tree avatars.
*
A ceiling of bodies swirl to Krishan's hidden song
as the old assistant points a trembling torch beam.
Through a wash of lime small clouds of passion waft
on walls: an arabesque, a reaching hand. The rest deliquesced.