Sandcastles in the Sky
While we were building sandcastles the sky grew darker.
Intent on digging a moat we didn’t look up.
Scurrying to finish the task before time to go home
Spades splattered sand into sunbathers’ sandwiches
We ran back and forth to the salty shore
Filling our buckets splishing, splashing as we ran
Pouring it into the moat where brown froth bubbled
Before quickly seeping away.
Finally, when mum had gathered all the picnic stuff
The moat was full and it was time to go home.
Had we looked up we would have seen
Giant kites, floating overhead, anchored to the beach
A tiger, dolphin, a cat, sportscar, superheroes,
Sharks and stingrays staring down at our castle
Wishing it was theirs.
Intent on digging a moat we didn’t look up.
Scurrying to finish the task before time to go home
Spades splattered sand into sunbathers’ sandwiches
We ran back and forth to the salty shore
Filling our buckets splishing, splashing as we ran
Pouring it into the moat where brown froth bubbled
Before quickly seeping away.
Finally, when mum had gathered all the picnic stuff
The moat was full and it was time to go home.
Had we looked up we would have seen
Giant kites, floating overhead, anchored to the beach
A tiger, dolphin, a cat, sportscar, superheroes,
Sharks and stingrays staring down at our castle
Wishing it was theirs.
This poem is copyright (©) Morna Sullivan 2026
About the Writer
Morna Sullivan
Morna Sullivan has always had a love of stories and has been reading and writing stories and poems since she could read and write. She is a member of the Coney Island Writers Group and a SCWBI member regularly attending the Belfast chapter meetings. She has recently taken over as SCBWI Regional Advisor (Ireland) leading a team of volunteers supporting children’s writers and illustrators across Ireland.
