Beach Castle Siege

I used to build sand castles on the beach.
The porcelain drinking glass,
austere in complexion; brighter than the sun,
was an excellent tool.
-for a child...

With it, I built rough-edged towers with speckled sand
and molded sturdy buttresses with the scythe-skinny finger
of a five year old.

By tamping down the sides, it felt indestructible.
It didn't move, so I stared at my creation.

I saw dark fringes of moisture cringing backwards
into the ground to escape the warm assault: the sun's army.

The soldiers of light and warmth were swift
to alter the tint of their new residence.

But the water was smooth and dark and glistened
with sharp, sun-tipped daggers that wore away,
With each approaching and swiftly receding wave,
the base of my indestructible sand castle.

I quickly fled the scene of destruction,
calling back the knights
which had so valiantly attempted to defend
their mighty structure
which was now darkening
with the contemptible army of waves