I Want To Go Home Soon

All the Chinese men, we live in large boarding houses at the canneries. We spend our time in the big room where everyone gathers to eat, talk and play Mah Jong. There is a kitchen too – the cook works there, long hours so that everyone is fed. We sleep in small, hard beds once the lanterns go out. The China Boss tells us what to do. We listen. There are no Chinese women here – only other men like me. Sometimes I stand outside and just look across the water. I hope to go home soon.