Sandcastles in the Tide

I heard it but — it was not me,

A shadow spoke in my place,

A reflection struggling to grasp the meaning,

A mirrored version — unfamiliar — yet born of my skin,

Pretending to soothe the storm within.

Paralyzed — Stripped of choice; of voice; of will,

Like a sandcastle we built when we were young.

What an ultimatum! What can a man do against the fury of fate?

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Like a sandcastle we built when we were young,

Building empires and cherishing moments,

Shaping memories and forming feelings,

Admiring idols and planning stories.

We craft joy into towers, dreams into walls,

Like a sandcastle we built when we were young,

Believing they will hold against the tide.

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Vibrant — Beautiful — Untouched.

We believe this sandcastle — born of happiness and laughter,

Will last forever,

Intact, untouched by the challenges of time and nature.

We laugh, as though eternity would listen.

How foolish we have been?

Like a sandcastle we built when we were young,

But when the sea comes,

What then — when no road remains to joy?

Was it all a lie — a hollow path?

-

Some people say it will be okay.

But honestly — it will never be.

Like a sandcastle we built when we were young,

I wish I had just five more minutes,

To tell you I was never your enemy,

To warn you to be careful, and say how much I already miss you,

To hold you close, and feel you hug me back as everything fades away,

I wish I had five minutes — five stolen minutes,

Taken without asking,

To simply say thank you.

-

Like a sandcastle we built when we were young,

Till the sea swept it back to the land,

Till the tide whispered we are mortal — not free,

To be children once more, building castles in sand

Feeling invincible, wild, and safe.

-

I wish I had five minutes — these five stolen minutes,

To tell you I have always been your friend all along,

To tell you I am here!