Grains of Joy

We face the hourglass of life, Filled with grist of joy and strife. Two bulbs, a narrow neck, Each grain a single speck. The top, the future, as it were, The bottom is past, does not stir. That third part, the neck, is now, But one fleck does it allow. To some, all grains look the alike, Yet each unique, not a strike. The top an opaque globe, Untold instants fill that lobe. Golden glints of yet-to-be, A jillion events yet to see. Grains above, beyond our ken, Instant joy, right there and then. Query what each grain brings, Which heals, which stings. Alas, we live grain by grain, Twixt an abiding twain. Next it falls, gone and done, Joins the past, soon overrun. Only one-by-one does life allow, In the narrow neck of now. See the flash, take it in, It passes once, and not agin. As each grain passes through, There’s a flash of what to do. That’s the moment of which I speak, ‘Tis not the time to be weak or meek. Let not your mind go wander, There’s no instant to squander. Grains above push their weight, The past you can’t resuscitate. Once the grain passes by, Too late for truth or alibi. There is no going back, It lays forever in the stack. Comes a time the top is hollow, No yet-to-be to follow. See the world on the sunny side, Prune problems in your stride. You live life as a twinkle, Take the joy it does sprinkle. Precious moments are too few, Enjoy them all, it’s up to you.