first day at school - a villanelle


Shared days entwined together bittersweet,
long labour, cord clipped, independent first cry.
Separate tracks play love’s synchronised beat.


Smooth soft skin, swaddled safely, suckling teat,
slow teasing tempo to sung lullaby.
Shared days entwined together bittersweet.


Children grow, sense perfume of first defeat.
See mothers prepare pensive sad goodbyes.
Separate tracks play love’s synchronised beat.


Gravel path grips soles of reluctant feet.
School’s silhouette breaks grey September sky,
shared days entwined together bittersweet.


Red bricked door, one path, smart uniform pleats
creased in play, new friends, youthful alibis,
separate tracks play love’s synchronised beat.


Bell tolls school’s end, I look to where we’ll meet.
Two pathways divergent for you and I,
shared days entwined together bittersweet.
Separate tracks play love’s synchronised beat