Khajuraho Poem by Bijay Kant Dubey

At Khajuraho saw I
Through the art-symbols
Kaam-vasana
Flourishing
In the form of art works
And sculptures
Carved in stone,
The iconography
Of erotic love and relationship
Leading to moksha.

The fleshy apsaras
Taking the canvas
Interlocked in
Sexual delight,
Love-making and joy
Of life,
Deriving pleasure from,
Turning the scenery
One of love and sex
And relationship.

Was it the carnal desire
Of the artisans and sculptors
Or of the kings
Or the tantrikas
Who told of
Things hallucinatory and incantatory,
Allusive and dreamy,
Nocturnal and unworldly,
Conquering of kaama
For sadhna
Or something unthought of?