The tide was out as two children played Through a hot summer day by the sea, Building their castles of sand and stones Where later the water would be. The sea crept in while they finished their work, The waves as they came seemed to say To one 'We will ruin the castle you've made.' To the other they said 'Come and play.' The first built a wall as high as he could To keep his sand fortress from harm. 'Go back!' he yelled at the charging waves, And he jumped from their surge in alarm. The strong sea swept over rampart and wall And flattened the work of his spade. His castle was gone and he trudged slowly home, Angry and sad and dismayed. 'It's coming' the other said. 'Quickly I'll dig A gully to channel the sea And a moat so the water can rush all around And make it an island for me.' He stood on his towers, not minding their fall As the water came rippling round, And when a great wave washed right over it all He laughed as he leapt to dry ground. The tide will come in for you and for me As it did for the children that day. Does it only destroy? Or dare we believe It's a last invitation to play?