The Origami Crane

The Origami Crane-                                                                                                               

Folded by gentle fingers

Of a child-

Wishes for peace.

The Origami Crane-

With creases

Like that of the dead-

Torn by violence.

The Origami Crane-

With desperate, outstretched wings

Tries to fly

But is shot down by sin.

The Origami Crane-

With the grace of a swan

Soars through the sky

Only to be burned by fire.

But the Origami Crane-

With the resilience

Of civilization

Always takes flight again.