“This poem is folded” was previously published in Nuclear Impact: Broken Atoms in Our Hands, edited by Teresa Mei Chuc (Shabda Press, 2017)
This poem is folded
"If you fold a thousand cranes, your fondest wish will come true." - Japanese proverb
This poem is folded
For hands sick with radiation.
It is formed silently.
Every crease shouts:
Health. Happiness. Longevity.
Every line bitter.
This poem doubles back.
Recollects
A child flying out of the blast
Like a colt
When the bomb explodes
And black rain falls.
This poem is a raft.
It floats under Misasa Bridge.
Bears paper lanterns burning
with children's pleas.
It wants to take the world to Hiroshima.
To hear 10 million paper prayers;
To lay 10 million paper cranes
At Sadako's feet.
Shelley Marie Motz
Shelley Marie Motz 