LETTING GO 

I cut the apron strings and let you go;
Adventure waits beyond this sheltered space
Of cuddled youth and loving home fire's glow.
All men must search alone to find their place.

Adventure waits beyond this sheltered space.
My son so young, it's hard for me to see
All men must search alone to find their place;
My tears must fall as now I set you free.

My son so young, it's hard for me to see
The time has come for you to leave the nest.
My tears must fall as now I set you free,
But college days are waiting; do your best.

The time has come for you to leave the nest
Of cuddled youth and loving home fire's glow,
But college days are waiting; do your best.
I cut the apron strings and let you go.

~Copyright © 1993 Ruth Gillis

"Letting Go" received the Deloras Malaschak Award in the
Fall 1995 issue of Bell's Letters.
It also received a Second Place Award in the
January 1999 issue of RB's Poets' Viewpoint.