Visiting Distant Relatives

Torvastad, Norway

We brought the wind with us to Torvastad.
To be planned for is an old comfort. 
Three cars and four Norwegian relatives 
all smiles and wet in the rain.

Entryways knit with wall hangings—
bluebells and reindeer at a mountain stream. 
A set table, rose china and folded napkins,
coffee with cake and more coffee,

the pictures of relations in the same silence, 
with the same smiles, as those across
the Hardanger tablecloth, while translations
and meanings were made.

Nods were all that were needed, and the sound
of laughter, a final nod to tuck us in for the night.
We brought the wind with us, and we heard it
knocking on all the doors and windows

for a place to rest, but unannounced, 
its own relatives back across the dark sea, 
it found no folded blanket at the foot of the bed,  
no cup for water by the bathroom sink.