Sand Castles

Upon a beach I came to stand And watched a child at play. He did while playing in the sand A point of life convey. With scoops and buckets he did build A structure tall and grand. And to the child the beach did yield A castle made of sand. But as he left, I do recall, Away I did not turn. And with the coming night would fall A lesson to be learned. The tide came in, with force did strike, The castle could not stand. And I was shown how life is like A castle made of sand. And man is but a child at play, His works they will not last. For all he builds within days Shall be by time surpassed. Each thing we do, Each thing we say, Each notion we conceive, They all to soon shall pass away, Yes, this I do believe. We leave no mark, we leave no trace That shall forever stand Be sure my friend time will erase Our days however grand.