Preamble: for this week's Rhymers theme "first", here is my first attempt at a villanelle.

 

My son, it fell to you to be born first

You turned a couple into Mum and Dad

You sometimes had the best, sometimes the worst

 

You changed our lives when into them you burst,

And for that day I ever shall be glad,

My son, it fell to you to be born first.

 

Our parenting was wholly unrehearsed,

Not knowing sleepless nights could be so bad,

You sometimes had the best, sometimes the worst.

 

Sometimes you long for roles to be reversed,

When little sister has things you once had,

My son, it fell to you to be born first.

 

It’s true some tricky times we have traversed,

When sharp words replaced hugs when we got mad,

You sometimes had the best, sometimes the worst.

 

Yes, with imperfect parents you are cursed,

Try as I might, my failings make me sad,

My son, it fell to you to be born first,

You sometimes had the best, sometimes the worst.

 

© Becky Who 2018