Page 39 of The Secret to Belonging

Gledevik, NorwayLatitude: 68.4385° N

Longitude: 17.4273° E

EN (ONE)

at the house

your ten-year-old host sister

leads you up the stairs

down a hall

through an art studio

with a huge wooden loom

to your room

a window overlooks

a side garden

it’s late, but it’s light

the sun skims the edges

of the sky

wildflowers glow hot pink

in the bright evening

sweet Lise is proud to help

you settle

demonstrates

the blackout shades

shows you the battery-operated

alarm clock

rearranges cushions

turns your sofa into a clever bed

you’re impressed with the economy

of Scandinavian furniture

she grins and says

sov gott! sleep well!

then runs over, hugs you,