Sigh of the sea and the salt-soaked breeze
Caw of the crows and the tarmac streets
Buzz of the boats and the fishermen’s call
Flap of the sails and the market brawl
Calm is the canal that flows through the town
Bright coloured vessels sail up and down
Crisps and the whiff of the savory treats
Almond and Rose for the Bombay sweets
Fresh is the fish and the sweetmeats for sale
Bangles and garlands and eggs of the Quail
Hot pinks and bright blues of woven stoles
Crimson and Green for the young girls’ shawls
Jasmines and Marigolds woven on twine
Incense and smoke trails that curl like a vine
Wet are the doorways with a turmeric tint
Pandals of plantain stand facing the wind
Bright shops and goldsmiths that work in a line
Tunes of the chants come afloat from a shrine
Church bells that ring bring a joyous zeal
Sound of the hymns cast a divine feel
Fond souls and sweet smiles that capture the heart
Many tongues that speak of the friendship’s fine art
We’ll meet them all in the sweltering heat
Let’s take a stroll along Little Rome’s streets