Origami

poem in Schoolyard Series

We call him Origami
not for his tenderness, 
but for his tendency
to fold people. 
He tucks faces into
creases and sends paper
planes to the nurse’s office. 
Not delicate but dexterous, 
his fingers press clean 
seams. Still his planes 
wobble to their destinations;
by design, he folds character 
into his masterpieces. Poor nurse,
misunderstands his love letters, but
Origami, the romantic, 
recycled each page she sent back
into another swan for her to unfold. 

¹art by Pragna Gaddamedi (@prgs.jpeg)

---

1.