Stilla Havet

The afternoon before Midsommar I found myself sitting on Hanna's couch, engrossed in the World Atlas. The glossy pages winked at me with their darling Swedish words for countries, lakes, streams; the most beautiful word that I came across was "Stilla Havet," which means Pacific Ocean, but is directly translated to Gentle Sea. Stilla Havet. Stilla Havet. It rolls over my tongue like a lullaby.