Sand Castles

To Calcifer

You go to the beach and build your castles
with sand and water and the joy of making,
of bringing something new into the world
that makes it yours.

The wind will blow drying sand away
and, grain by grain, the castle will subside, 
its turrets sliding, flattening and melting 
into the beach.
Your mark upon the world, 
your proud monument dissolved forever.

What will remain to you when it is gone?
The joy of building 
and, of course, the skill
to build another evanescent castle.

You cannot see yourself – you see reflections 
and shadows, 
they dance upon the waves, 
reflected in the eyes of those watching.
You see reflections in these eyes and say:
“T’is I.
My shadow, my dance.
It is unique. 
It’s seen and felt by you.
I am unique and I am here now.”

The eyes will close and the waters still,
the sun will die and take away the light
and shadows will go.

What will remain to you when they are gone?
The joy of dancing 
and, of course, the skill
to know who you are.