Fold an airplane in front of me
like you did when you were small.
In unison, with precision,
your mind and hands work.
Unfold, refold,
reinforce the creases with your thumbnail.
Test the aerodynamics,
fingers deft and wise.
Let these hands guide you through our world
that you often find too loud, bright, crushing.
Japanese legend promises anyone who folds
a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish.
Let’s fold a thousand airplanes—
and offer them to your well-being.
A poet and a public school teacher, Julie Martin lives near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Her work has recently appeared in the following journals: The Talking Stick, Plants and Poetry, Optopia, Mothers Always Write, and Thimble Literary Magazine. With poet and artist River Urke, she co-hosts Up Close: Meet the Poet Behind the Verse, a monthly program that showcases the work of local poets in the Twin Cities. You can see more of her work on her blog, Sphinxmothrising.blogspot.com