The children, dark and light,

Skipped through the sands,

Laughter amongst the stars,

Running gently hand in hand.


The first built a castle,

Using sand for the walls.

He declared himself king

Of his star-peppered hall.

The other thought hard

And then with a cry

Kicked over the castle,

And roared to the sky.

Now I am the king,

The other declared;

Now fall on your knees

And try to look scared.

The first stood straight up

And waved with his fist,

The castle is mine,

He spat, growled and hissed.

The other looked down

And saw his mistake,

And for a moment was sad

At what was to break.


A war broke forth,

A fight in the sands.

The children still fight,

No more hand in hand.