It’s Written in the Sand ~ a Poetry Collection
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?





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.



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