One-Thousand Cranes

There are no cranes adorning my study.
I am alone here, and very afraid of the world.
The first ones are the most difficult.
But hands quickly grow accustomed to the folds.
Muscle memory is a godsend.

There are one-hundred cranes hanging above my desk.
All in one sitting, I brought them into being.
After dinner I return and start making their brothers.
Driven by my wanting, by my lack of so much.
Driven by my keen desire for a wish.

There are two-hundred cranes dangling aside my head.
Closer still, yet oh so far away.
Fatigue sets in and I make mistakes.
Misshapen birds cast into a cold metal bin.
Sleep must be mine now.

There are three-hundred cranes strung around the room.
After breakfast, I worked myself hard.
I wonder what wish I will make.
Life? Riches? Love? More?
My days will belong to the cranes now.

There are four-hundred cranes chained together in here.
I promise to free them, once the magic is done.
I think I want to have freedom.
That'll be what I ask Crane for.
I want freedom from this mundane existence.

There are five-hundred cranes in my once dull workspace.
My labour is half-finished, and I take pride in that.
Yet there is no relief.
For my labour is not finished.
I need to work harder from now on.

There are six-hundred cranes floating near the ceiling.
Oh how I step ever-closer, how I strive.
The motion of my hands is automatic.
Folding without thought or feeling.
Without rest or food, I fold and fold.

There are seven-hundred cranes all flying about the light.
Each connected by a string, all together.
Formed mechanically by these hands.
Tied together coldly.
I want my wish, I need it.

There are eight-hundred cranes watching over me tonight.
And many more will, surely, come to be.
So close and so tired.
Cannot be, cannot feel.
What is 'tired'? All there is: Crane.

There are nine-hundred cranes gazing at me as I work.
I can taste the release, the finality.
Agony pulses through my arms.
My fingers crippled. My eyes watering.
Please Crane, let it all end.

There are one-thousand cranes now keeping me company.
I wait for the last, for Crane.
And then I realise my work is over.
My freedom has come.
My freedom from Crane, was given to me at last.