Graphite, 12” x 12”, Framed

Origami

By Kortney Sebben

A man sits at a bar. His fingers work 

magic tricks on crisp 

one-dollar bills. He wears his sadness

like a flannel shirt. Air conditioning 

grows cold on my shoulders as 

I watch his hands 

weave. A bird emerges first,

wings splayed. Before him 

on overturned cups sit many more–

a giraffe sits high, 

and there! a fish with bulging eyes,

suspended on toothpick 

as if swimming. I imagine him 

each night--he heads to the bank 

for brand-new bills. Perfect

For folding. Like 

a puppet master, he holds an audience 

captive. Women’s laughter tinkles along 

the rims of 

bartop glasses.