Summer Battle

On our beach, as a child
I lived in the sand,
celebrating a mighty castle
that challenged the pounding sea.

An impenetrable fortress
Seized by armed green soldiers!
They raised their feathered flag
triumphant in the battle.
Little did they know
the war had just begun.

In all their green
helmets, guns, and mortars
no soldier stood up
to the burning laser
of magnified sun!

The stench of melting flesh
filled the air like burning tires.

The survivors called “retreat!”
     alas
Fate was already sealed.

The end of their pain
and the end of a game
came with a splash
when the tidal wave crashed.

Dragged out to sea:
     little green soldiers
     a fortress
     and me.