In the poem, the narrator speaks of uncovering hidden secrets in the sand while living in a duneâbuilt castle, gathering firewood and eating simple meals, all while chasing the âedgeâ of ideas at his own pace; he contrasts music composition with painting, noting how each art form unfolds in layersâpaintings rain while music ticksâand reflects on matching oneâs rhythm to personal interest. After completing his work he returns to the starting point, puts out his flame, watches someone else light a new fire, and continues tracing notes in the sand, now awaiting time itself to reveal the next clue.






















