Page 47 of The Secret to Belonging

this sweet new land of the midnight sun

you owe them an explanation

beklager, you say

i’m sorry

home is ikke lykkelig

not a happy place

letters are hard to receive

they nod

but for them

home and family are joyful, happy words

synonyms for safety and love

you’re not sure they understand

you’re not sure you want them to

you’re surprised

though

telling just that tiny bit

of truth

diminishes somewhat

the burden of home

you are so isolated

linguistically

culturally

and now

the cupboard in your chest

rattles

you feel a little less

alone

Elinor invites you to sit at her loom

teaches you how to

pass the shuttle through the warp