“The Crane” was written by my daughter Melanie (who follows this Blog so please feel free to respond to her by name!). From her perspective, the crane is the focal point of the poem as it symbolizes the freedom of the present, the letting go of the past, and the embracing of the future.
“THE CRANE”
She walks towards the deserted beach.
Stepping out onto the sand, she pauses.
Watching the sun slowly sinking from view,
The sand, cold between her toes.
She walks.
The waves break along the shore
And are lost in the sand.
She thinks of moments in her life.
She looks across the water to see a crane.
It flies with the grace of the wind
And perches on a deserted mooring post.
She smiles, and continues to walk.
The eyes of the crane follow her every move.
The woman shivers as a breeze caresses her body.
She remembers the times she felt alone,
Much like she does now.
The times when she felt like
She could not go on.
Tears fall from her eyes
As a feeling of loneliness overcomes her.
Thinking of what lay ahead of her,
And what is behind her,
She picks up a pebble
And gently throws it.
The beautiful bird just sits and watches.
She smiles.
Thoughts start to run through her mind.
“How will I survive?”
“Who will help me?”
“Where do I turn?”
“Will I make it through?”
The crane just sits and watches.
No one to depend on but itself.
The woman thinks …
Let down so many times before
She feels a strength growing inside her.
Where does it come from?
The baby which, someday, will be born
Knowing there is a loving mother.
Raised to know a life better than this.
Born with strength and faith.
She holds onto that thought.
It warms her inside.
She has a reason to live.
She will be strong.
She remembers past pain.
She knows that it will get better,
Alone maybe, but not abandoned.
She turns around.
Glances at the crane.
Sees its head raise.
It seems as if
It is reading her mind.
She smiles.
The crane lifts its wings and, like a breath of air,
Soars into the evening sky ’til it is out of sight.
Standing … looking out over the beach,
Watching the water roll in,
Tears fall from her eyes.
Tears of joy.
The first of many to come.
A New Direction Perhaps? 
I would like to offer my personal thanks to everybody who took the trouble to read “The Crane” and very special thanks to all those who commented. Your comments triggered a number of emails between Melanie and I and she was clearly overwhelmed by you all. Not only the nature of your responses, but the fact that you all took the trouble to respond. Melanie is her own worst critic (I bet that sounds familiar to all of you) and, as such, had never contemplated that her writing could elicit emotional reactions in others. I am hoping that she will give me more of her writings as time passes but, in the meantime, thanks again. What a special group of people you are 🙂
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That old adage my mother used to say certainly seems to apply here:
“Looks like the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.” 🙂
P.S. Lovely photo of your daughter, too. She’s an absolute stunner and terrific writer.
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She is a survivor of many, many storms. I am very proud of her 🙂
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It’s quite clear in her writing. 🙂
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Thank you to all of you for such encouraging comments. it was not an easy time in my life when it was written so its really nice to hear that it has moved people and that people can relate to it in different ways so, thanks.
Melanie.
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Melanie you kept it all realistic & how we feel scary & lost but finally muster the courage to look life in the eye & be strong & stand !! Kudos for the post 🙂
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You are talented, Melanie. The poem has depth and causes me to think. Your words are thoughtful and powerful.
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Beautiful, inspiring. 🙂
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Very beautiful, Melanie! Even a lil ol’ dog like me can appreciate this ❤ Love, Noodle
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This is so very beautiful and I really liked how the poem turned out be so powerful and positive. The sight is so beautifully penned.
My regards to Melanie. ❤
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Very inspiring prose!
I felt it captured a life changing moment (or an ah-ha moment) perfectly. 😃
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Midwestern Plant Girl: The end was a very pivotal point in my life. You could not have said it any better than that.
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Melanie.. It’s a very lovely poem! ❤
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So beautiful!!!
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This was lovely to read. Beautiful Melanie.
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Melanie!!!! This was such a great poem ❤
It has essence of true brilliance!
Loveeed it!
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