MUMBAI

Bombay or Bambayi,

Or is it 'Amchi Mumbai'!

Scores of people and hundreds of trains,

A multitude of skyscrapers and the torrential rains,

A blessing of Babulnath, MumbaDevi, 

Mahalakshmi and Haji Ali,

Mumbai is always cool and happening,

Crowded mornings and racing evenings 

Are its trademark,

A city safe for us women even after dark,

Andheri was home a few years ago,

Then I did visit the many renowned studios,

Jogeshwari, Kurla, Ghatkopar,

Colaba, Santa Cruz, Virar,

Places are many,

With names sounding funny,

Gateway of India and the Bandstand,

Marine Drive and Nariman Point,

Girgaon and Juhu Chowpatties,

Remind me of the chuski, pav bhaji and ragda pattice,

Invites me back the yummy Lucky Biriyani,

The chai Irani,

Sitaphal cream at Haji Ali,

The aromas wafting through the Khau gali,

A unique city that never sleeps,

Flourishes in bounds and leaps,

They say in Mumbai no one goes hungry,

Protected by the divine souls three,

The spirit of the Mumbaikar is awesome,

Adopting all, helping lives blossom,

A never say die attitude,

'Akhkha'  Mumbai gets back to a happy mood,

Despite rains or water loggings,

Bomb blasts, gunshots or rioting,

With Mumbai, no one can play dirty games or have their way,

From me here is a big salute-Salaam Bombay!!

©®Madhumita