American Life in Poetry: ‘Origami’ by Joyce Sutphen

We haven’t published nearly enough poems written for young people, and here’s one I like a great deal, by Joyce Sutphen, the current Minnesota poet laureate, written for her granddaughter, Ellie. Of course, like much good poetry, it’s for both young and old.

Origami

It starts

with a blank sheet,

an undanced floor,

air where no sound

erases the silence.

As soon as

you play the first note,

write down a word,

step onto the empty stage,

you’ve moved closer

to the creature inside.

Remember—

a square

can end up as frog, cardinal,

mantis, or fish.

You can make

what you want,

do what you wish.