Countdown Hourglass

How gently the memory sprinkles this first layer,
this playground conquest
giving Johnny G has second thoughts,
as you are marble king.

Later...

Journeys across more make-believe battlefields,
Shakespearean words cross swords
with gang-spawned tempests,
graffiti tattoos proclaim manhood.

Even later…

Ambition ushers in
grown-up’s life-demand on work,
and then work for the married life,
pleasures under fire,
defeat no option,
retreat is no escape,

Two kids for college.

Then...

Maturity hangs mindful,
this hourglass now deeply drowning in memories,
prompting further journeys,

New turns of the glass,
where triumph sees beyond the now,
understands rejoicing sans conquest,
bearing witness to attrition,

anticipating the next iteration.

Life's sand-castle sculpture,
merging drifts long past
into dunes giving way
to reborn openings,
verves of cyclic wonder.

Once more…

For your personal hourglass

that knows no end.