Sand Castles

Dad and his two little kids are building sand castles
He is good
He is patient
He has skill and the kids learn and the project takes shape
Dad is gentle and coaches the blonde girl of four and the boy of six how to create their castles
Slowly
Delicately
The waves crash around and the sun beats down and it's a pleasurable sight
Family
Nurturing
Creating

The sun hits it's zenith and they leave the beach to return to their room or have lunch perhaps
A few minutes pass before a young boy of 7 discovers the castles
The waves are crashing and crawling up the beach, touching their base
Eroding
The boy examines the castles and their beauty and makes a decision
They must be saved!
He runs and fetches a shovel and begins digging
In front of the castles
He fervently digs and builds a wall to protect them from the sea
He encourages his father to join and they work together to protect these nascent creations from the encroaching Pacific


I'm struck
By those that created these impermanent creations
And those that wish to save them
And how both acts are transitory, beautiful