The Hourglass

An hourglass teeters on the edge of a table
Holding the constant river of flowing sand
Its youthful mound small yet growing
A mound of life in perfect balance.

A child, the pile of sand
Explores his surroundings from inside
Ignorant of what awaits him
Evading his pure, curious eyes
Sleep child, sleep away the night.

Nurtured with warmth and love
The mound grows steadily larger
His knowledge quite insatiable
Yet time passes quickly
Sleep child, sleep away the night.

A hill rests upon the base
Brimming with vitality
Full of hope for the future
Yet time rolls by
Sleep child, sleep away the night.

A towering mountain now stands erect
Formed by layers of wisdom
Collected like dust over years
Yet time flies on
Sleep child, sleep away the night.

The hourglass, now very strained
Loses balance and topples over
Leaking sand on to the floor
Sleep child, sleep…