origami

I will let you fold me
whichever way you want
I will not protest
when you discard me;
in fact, I expect it
if  you want someone to obey
then I'm the man you're looking for

so go ahead
fold me
twist me and turn me
bend me, shape me
any way you want me*
just leave me in one piece
for I am human
I am not made of paper
I breathe and bleed
I dream and cry

but if you can forget all that
and forgive my animal ways
maybe I can learn
to forget myself


*American Breed, 1967