Tori—I kept the villanelle template line numbers in.
Marilyn said the meter didn’t matter…does this flow evenly enough?
My line 3 in S. 1 is purposely a little different. (I slightly broke the rule.)

I did not (yet) punctuate at the end of lines. There probably should be some sentences with a “.” and some areas with commas. I am worried it may sound trite and have forced rhymes. Ugh!

Can you tell that Drew’s big move is on my mind?

Letting Go

1 Children come through us to live and grow

2 we gazed terrified on that first birthing day

3 not knowing this journey is about letting go

4 feed, burp, and bathe, so much to know

5 bonding with baby, love grew in the fray

1 Children come through us to live and grow

6 soon it was sledding and skiing in snow

7 soccer and baseball, they’re grown halfway

3 This journey is more than letting go

8 high school and band, even playing banjo

9 learning to drive, they’re making headway

1 Children come through us to live and grow

10 they’re packing for college; I want life to slow

11 to read bedtime stories, have more time for play

3 This journey is more than letting go

12 career jobs, marriage, and making dough

13 we parents still worry as they move far away

1 children come through us to live and grow

3 this journey is more than letting go