Quadrangle Hourglass Poem by Christine K. Trease

Somewhere amidst the venturing and riveting ascension
the sands continued softly to run their steady course.
Flecked with tranquil fondness and sculpted with emotion,
a life was molded firmly from a loving-hearted source

Adolescent hunger, impetuous youthful yearning,
discontented daily and feasting on more learning.
Impatient with the lacking, eager still to know,
grasping at life's knowledge, accepting quid pro quo.

Maturity, in fashion, now placidly embracing
a future full, not empty, fearlessly now facing.
Pressing onward with a surety and backed by iron will,
the baying hounds of reason pushing forward still.

Aged with perfect season, and fit as opposition,
secure with life-book learning, the greater composition.
Yet timeworn from encounters, a sad but true cliché;
why could I not have known then what I've learned up to this day?