It’s Written in the Sand ~ a Poetry Collection

John is a poet and short fiction writer who enjoys collaborating on stories with other writers, and partaking in challenges.

Inspired by Sand

These poems about sand all came to be due to a simple word prompt by friend and fellow writer Brenda Arledge. In her article titled Word Prompts Help Creativity ~ Week 48 she suggested using the word “sand” as inspiration for our creative writing.

I always look forward to the challenge that these word prompts present, and this one was no exception. They really do help inspire creativity.

If I can write, who possibly can’t. Even drawing a line in the sand is writing

— Bangambiki Habyarimana, Pearls Of Eternity

Shifting Sand

Across the vast hot desert sand

I trudged; my throat was parched.

The camel caravan had left,

So alone, onward I marched.

My water supply had run dry,

My boots were full of sand.

The only shade I had - a hat,

In this unforgiving land.

My strength was quickly fading.

I’d lost count of the days

Since I’d last had a bite to eat.

“God give me food!” I prayed.

A lush oasis loomed ahead,

But alas, just a mirage -

Hallucinations of my mind.

My mortality loomed large.

So weak, I tumbled down a dune

And lay prone in the sand,

Then drifted to the soothing sounds

Of Heaven’s trumpet band.

The desert claimed my sorry life,

It’s no place for mortal man.

Just one more pointless sacrifice

To be engulfed by shifting sand.

The sands bury everyone, with or without our help.

— H.S. Crow

Why God Created Beaches

Golden beaches line the shore,

Sand slips through your toes.

How many grains are on each beach?

I’m certain no one knows.

Build a castle, make it tall,

As high as you can go.

Until the hight tide washes in

And destroys it with the flow.

Lovers paddle in the waves

As they lap against the sand,

Exchanging their undying love

While strolling hand in hand.

Seagulls chatter overhead,

Always looking for a snack.

Swooping down without invite,

Those birds do not hold back.

Crowds of people fill the beach,

Soaking up the sun -

Towels spread out upon the sand.

Though sunburn isn’t fun.

Why did God create beaches?

What was his master plan?

As a playground for His people?

Or just somewhere to store sand?

1 / 5

Sand Sculptures

Sand sculptures are true works of art

But hurry to admire.

Their beauty sadly cannot last,

To their creators’ ire.

The sea reclaims, just as it yields

The seafood on which we dine.

Waves wash away the sculptures,

Just like the sands of time.

So praise the artist for their work,

Acknowledge their fine skill.

Nothing can resist the tide

Despite all hope and will.

Sand Sculpture Art

1 / 3

Slow Down the Sands of Time

The sands of time slip by so fast

Through the hourglass of our lives.

To find a way to slow the flow -

The work of scientists drives.

We search for the magic fountain

That can restore our vim and youth.

The stated fact it’s fantasy

The hopeful find uncouth.

So try to break the hourglass

Or block the fine sands flow,

And if somehow you do succeed-

Be sure to let me know.

The sand in the hourglass runs from one compartment to the other, marking the passage of moments with something constant and tangible.

If you watch the flowing sand, you might see time itself riding the granules.

Contrary to popular opinion, time is not an old white-haired man, but a laughing child.

And time sings.

— Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

© 2022 John Hansen