By the shoreline a toddler plays
Taking a handful of the sandy beach
Then patting it tenderly on the increasing mound

She cups a puddle of water
In her tiny hands
And dribbles it on her castle

The enchanted castle emerges from the beach
She imagines a beautiful princess in the tower
Stepping away from the wonderland she runs to find her mommy

She returns to find that the tide is returning as well
Watching helplessly as the waves destroy her masterpiece
A cry escapes her tiny lips