Translating Origami

She tore the wrapper off the straw
leaving a piece at the end,
letting me know she didn’t touch where my sips form.
And said,
“This means i love you in origami”

So i followed her, day by day.
Observing and learning.

Watching how she would toss her coat after entering the house.
Always on the chair.
Always without looking,
leaving her wrist cocked in the air
for a noticeable moment.

Subtle creases settle into that coat of hers.
In the exact same way
every single day.
And i began to see
the folds form into the word “home”.
Developing slowly until rich and crisp
like Kodachrome.

Now the language is a part of me.
And without a word or a gesture
I can translate her day,
in the quietness of origami.


Jordan R Shaver 2/21/2020