Poem: "Corporate Creep" at "Gyroscope Review"

This poem, originally written in October 2025, went through a number of revisions over the last twelve months, but the breakthrough happened only after I figured out the structure, which put a line break before and after each time the word "I" appeared. Suddenly the speaker became a bit more cold, a bit more fragmented which enhanced the tone of the poem. The second stanza, which took a similar approach towards the word "You" feels more plaintive, more pleading, at least in my mind. As for the origami heart in the image above, I simply asked my lover Sok Song to make it for me. In six folds, like the poem says. The verse first appeared in Gyroscope Review in the Summer 2026 issue. You can read more of the issue by following the earlier link. And yes, I really did work with a woman named Marilena.

Corporate Creep

I

sign with a meaningful X that’s marred by the ink of the company ballpoint.

I 

wear two disposable gloves that I stole from supplies. 

I 

fold up the note, still fresh from the printer; the company stationary, a kind of disguise.

I 

fold it six times, per instructions, until  it assumes the shape that 

I 

learned how to make from a YouTube video 

I 

watched on the company dime.

I 

slide my creation into an interoffice envelope that lists past recipients.

I

scribble your name below Marilena, who no longer works in HR.

I

then wind the red string around the red button and hurry down the hallway to drop this missive into a mail slot where it whispers its own descent 15 floors down. The next day,

I

swing by your office and see that

You

have propped my origami heart on the company bookshelf behind your desk.

You 

claim to have no idea who sent it.

You

have no intention to ever find out.

Image Credit: The associated collage is my own photo of a heart folded literally seconds ago by Sok Song.