Steam rises up from fixed spots, its vapor
like piled, sifted flour is white and heavy.
The market here is looser than capi-
talism: everyone gets their own price
in the medina* of 10 000 derbs*,
where merchants sell citrus juice, dates, figs,
olives, leather, wood and natural herbs.
*medina: old city center
*derb: narrow alley wide enough for a person or donkey