For my beloved sister who is swept in the constant tides of farewells and then meeting-again-for-too-short-a-while. And for all the other parents whose fledglings have taken wing, may you continue to find your joy and serenity.

They are the quickening parts of you
That you bestow upon the world 
Beings that become other people
Independent. Adult. 
Then there’s the anxiety and tumult 
Of letting them go 
From the safe radius of the home
From the proximity of your everyday touch
From the protective circle of your sinewy arms
Each muscle a testament 
To years of being superhuman 
A perpetual hero, a champion  
And now you also have 
Your own growing pains to bear
Of them not being there 
As they make their start
In places you can’t be
Coming back to rest
To lay down tired heads
On other pillows, other beds
Their childhood rooms
Stirring softly with their scents
But my dearest, don’t despair
These aches pass, they morph
They bloom into other things
A kinship deep as all the seas
A bond of care that is more even-keeled 
Conversations, confidences, the sharing of dreams 

They are out there now
Let them live and love 
With all their might 
You’ve done your part
They know the tree
The orchard, the seeds
That they’ve sprung from
Now let them go
Let your fluttering, bursting heart 
Give them wings to fly
Fly, fly, up, up high 
Into the vastness of the sky
Let them whoop with joy
Let them go 
Where the soul moves them
Out into the brilliant world
To take a little bit of it 
Make it their own
Let them imprint it
With their hearts and their minds
Let them be quirky, let them be kind
Let them be funny, let them be full
Of passion, of hope, of tenderness 
Let them roar and cheer and also tear up
At life’s beauty, excitement, its bruises and cuts
Let them show all their own shades of loveliness 
Let them add to the shimmering throng
Of all that’s vital, new and strong

And you, dear beloved 
With your empty nest 
Now filled with books 
Or paints or pets
You who have begotten them 
Stand fast and true and wise
Behind them. Cheer them on 
As they sing their own songs 
In the great choir of life.