Two cousins are sailing
from the mainland.

When they arrive they will sleep
on the wide porch

of the bungalow he has
built himself.

They will eat the good
food his young wife cooks.

(For her, already six
months pregnant

with their first child,
it will not come

as such happy news.)
The card must wait

all afternoon for his return
from the sugar plantation.

He will read the card
aloud to her then