Page 43 of The Secret to Belonging

naming and labeling everything

vindu, she tapes a card to the window

dør, she tapes a card to the door

sofa, she tapes a card to the sofa

lett, ikke sant? she looks up smiling

deceptively easy, you think to yourself

you learned these words at sommerskole

but when you part your lips

French falls from your mouth

your tongue is not to be trusted

the post arrives

a letter from Alison

a postcard from Maura

you feel giddy

you feel rich

Alison loves Rome and red wine

and lusts after her host uncle

who’s studying for the priesthood

she’s decided to corrupt him

you shake your head and laugh out loud

same old Alison

Maura’s host parents are older. their children are grown

she’s joined a soccer team and a hiking club

the kids all smoke, she writes

but she’s determined not to start

it’s so cool, though, isn’t it?

how everyone rolls their own?

write to me, she commands

send me your secrets and dreams

you’ve never had a friend like her