Prutha

Along a winding, long river

Meanders a stretch long road,

You travel to a place

Where you'll never be bored.

A place of hills and valleys

Where cashew greets the nose,

Mangoes found in abundance

And coconut trees seem to pose.

Goa on the western coast land

Of India in the east,

A land once ruled by Portugal

Believes in prayers and feast.

Cashew liquor called fenni

Kingfisher beer in bars,

Sea beaches and churches

With speeding bikes and cars.

Friday-- Mapusa market is lively

Vibrant bright and teeming,

With people from all over

Life's like you are dreaming.

Fish market is very tempting

With fish prawns and all

Display of diverse sea food--

Spices in the outer stall.

Hot springs and resorts

Landscaped well and pruned,

Music in the fragrant air

Of strings so well tuned.

The beat and the rhythm

Making people dance,

Cheers with tall glasses

While temple bells entrance.

Laughter in the neighborhood,

Fenni lingering in the air

Music fills the' vados'

'Mog' and 'fog' everywhere.

On feast days its just glamour

Colour sound and food,

Mouth watering dishes

Which you cannot just elude.

Sorpotel, prawn curry and xacuti

Dodol, perad and bibinc

Come to Goa: enjoy much more

Than what I can write and think.

Holiday in luscious Goa

With family, friend and kid,

There's something for every age

That you will find amid.

Trevor D'Souza