Page 48 of The Secret to Belonging

swing the beater to snug the weft

press the treadles with your stocking feet

you find a rhythm of motion and texture

patterns emerge along with a smile

a tapestry of color blooms beneath your hands

she adjusts the ratchet wheel

too much tension breaks threads

she could be talking about you

wound so tightly, pulled so taut

she smiles at your concentration

du kan jo veve når du vil

an invitation to weave

whenever you like

her generosity renders you mute

your tears make tiny splashes

on the freshly woven cloth

hands and feet

weft and warp

perfectly ordered

mathematically straight

a dance of right to left

soothing the frayed edges

of your tangled nerves

restoring depth to your breath

your mind reunites with your body

your muscles and bones surrender

to the solid pine bench

according to Karl-Peter

homesickness

is the exchange student’s biggest challenge