The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

My Paper Crane

Square sheet of paper, colour side up. Silver my grandma's favourite colour.
Fold diagonally now looks like grandma's handkerchief.
Unfold. Fold diagonally again so it's now grandma's handkerchief with a crease.
The two creases form an x-shape. Like on Professor X's wheelchair wheels.
Turn over so the white side is up, fold in half to make a straight line like a horizon.
Unfold, fold to make another straight line like a fence post.
Fold top to bottom and left and right sides in. Creates a diamond shape.
Grandma's birthstone. She used to say they were her best friends.
Now it's about making folds on matching sides so it makes the crane's
neck and wings. It's difficult at first but you keep going. It's paper,
you can flatten it and start again. You can unfold and put a secret message
in the middle. I want to put in in the kitchen so it will smell
of my favourite cookies, but mum says no and puts it on the bookcase.
I dream it will fly, graceful as big birds are in flight, and carry
my message. I love you grandma, so she'll know, she'll be proud.

About the Writer


Emma Lee

Emma’s publications include “The Significance of a Dress” (Arachne, 2020) and "Ghosts in the Desert" (IDP, 2015). She co-edited “Over Land, Over Sea,” (Five Leaves, 2015), reviews for magazines and blogs at emmalee1.wordpress.com.