Slipping sand

Glowing flame consumes the wick,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Burns down to the dead and quick,
Slipping through the hourglass;

Beauty shines in lover's face,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Dear-bought wisdom doth replace,
Slipping through the hourglass;

Crying child at mother's breast,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Soon enough is laid to rest,
Slipping through the hourglass;

Kingly pate bows 'neath the crown,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Castle walls come crashing down,
Slipping through the hourglass;

Acorn grown to hoary oak,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Awaiting but the lightning stroke,
Slipping through the hourglass;

Candle stub in candlestick,
The sands do slip, the sands do slip,
Flame consumes the dead and quick,
Slipping through the hourglass;