Sandcastles Poem by Ilari Rahja

It was a dark - Foggy day.
When I decided to venture ahoy!
Ahead, onto the beach.
To face its sandy dunes.

So thither, I headed.
Passed via coastal road.
Through bleak shrubberies.
Which masked every approach.

Finally ended, saw my goal.
Those sandy dunes.
Mile, after another - They extend.
Fill me with awe.

So I waded ahead.
Arrived, sat upon a sandy reef.
Alone, for now.
Reminisced of you.

Of love, future we need.

With nothing but my awe.
A seagull, or two.
Sparrows, swift and few.
To keep me company.

Saw - In the distance.
A wall of clouds.
Thunder and Rain!
Storm, it would bring.

Yet avoid me.
I proudly deemed.
My little spot.
Upon the sand.

So I mused.
Decided to use.
This unusual pause.
To my advantage.

Thus I built my castle.
Onto the sand.
Beside the sea.
I built it.

Dug a mighty harbor, beside it.
A breakwater, ramparts to secure it.
To guarantee, my dominion.
Upon the sand.

It had cannon of twigs.
Flagpoles of grass.
With flags and banners.
Made of flowers, I chanced upon.

So it was, stood for an hour.
Then foundered upon the first noon tide.
Its purpose defeated.
By nature's might.

So I built another.
Smarter, I deemed myself.
Placed it higher.
Inland, it seemed.

It rose soon.
Better, mightier - More impressive still.
With banners of leaves.
Garrisoned, by sea-grass tufts.

As soon, as it arose.
It disappeared.
Washed away.
By a sudden burst of rain.

So yet another one, I raised.
With towers tall and strong.
Proud walls - Lights!
Windows, moat and all…

No tide, no rain ever.
Could have washed it away!
But after a minute or two.
It dried - Sand was bleached.

Began dripping away.
One grain, at a time.
Slowly, surely eroded.
By the passing of time.

Sun, each gust of wind.

So it gradually fell.
By the grain.
Until nothing remained.
But mounds in the sand.

So I determined myself.
The wiser, keener.
With experience - Intellect!
Decided to build another one.

A castle again.
Made from tiny little stones….