Barbara Temperton #28 - Cruising IX: Pasar Badung Denpasar

I come a fortnight after the fire,

market building razed at night:

food vendors pack the square below

the blackened, gutted pasar,

air thick with ripe fruit aroma,

dried fish, spices, an acrid overlay.

I navigate poorly - not in need of food,

tidak terima kasih,  black puddles underfoot -

until a woman guides me underground

to carpark basement and textile traders

where for 150,000 rupiah 

I buy three red fans with golden fringes.