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"In the Middle of the Bazaar" by Arefa Fatima Khan

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January 15th, 2026

In the Middle of the Bazaar

by Arefa Fatima Khan

In the middle
of a bazaar, I stood,
struggling to be,
to find my footing.

Amongst a crowd
that squabbled each day,
that bargained for each pay.

The ruckus ceased
when a musty scent tickled my nose,
rising above the noise.

Baffled, I searched
for the flower it belonged to –
until I saw I was standing in a bouquet
of buds and struggle,
of stems of sacrifice
and of leaves of hard work.

About the Poet
Arefa Fatima Khan resides in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
Read the poet's biography and Under 25 Poetry publications on Arefa Fatima Khan's Artist Page.

Under 25 Poetry Collection
This poem is also featured in Under 25 Poetry Collection #1, published in the Under 25 Poetry Library.

Keywords: city life, market vendor, culture, bazaar, scents

Previously published in Under 25 Poetry Magazine:
Frozen North Bank
by Su Yun

Home | Submissions | Published | About

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