In the heart of the city – Chaupati Beach.
A long stretch of white sand, sea, and sky

–a heavenly dream. Spicy raw mango, curry-

roasted peanuts, dancing monkeys, snake-charmers.
Fortune-tellers, merry-go-rounds, and ‘ferry’ wheels.

Juhu on Ville Parle – the most-often-visited beach
by locals, tourists, celebrities, and film companies.

Juhu offers an array of street foods, local delicacies,

sports games, cricket matches, horse and camel rides.
Relax – watch monkeys — enjoy a dream-like vision.

Madh Island is one of the cleanest Mumbai beaches –
a cluster of little villages and farmlands surrounded

by mangroves. Bollywood movie crews frequently

use this venue for filming. Still, explore local fishing.
Enjoy classy DJ beats and tunes on the beach.

Marine Drive – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road
–three kilometers of concrete road along coastline

forming a ‘natural’ bay. Night-lights look like pearls

on a Queen’s Necklace. Cool breezes caress all ages.
Nana-Nani offers absolute heaven for the elderly.

Last, Versova Beach is home to the Kolis,
fisherfolk famous for daily fish market auctions.

Gigantic rocks protect Versova from battering

waves off the never-ending Arabian Sea. Enjoy surreal
sunsets. Escape tedious work. Enjoy moments of peace.

. . . . .

Poet: Susan Powers Bourne
Source: Mumbai’s Beaches
Process: Excerpt and remix