Unfolding the Paper Wing

I walked past the garden hedge and down the avenue to the neighborhood transit shelter. Resting upon the slatted cedar bench was a small paper crane, folded from stiff brown parcel wrap. Its left wing had crumpled beneath a heavy fallen pine cone. Stepping onto the weathered wood with my saber clipped securely at my waist, I carefully lifted the pine cone aside. With steady, unhurried fingertips, I smoothed the creased paper flat along the grain of the bench, restoring the crisp angle of its spine. Cupping the fragile bird between my open palms, I felt its delicate balance return. When the early draft stirred the shelter, the paper wings swayed lightly, ready for flight.