the sand

how long you shoveled
sand, digging
the hole for your son,
him saying deeper
dad, deeper, unsatisfied
with what you've done.
more sand by shovel
and bucket tossed
to side, before hitting
pools of water,
small crusted things
with life, that would
dig faster than you
could go, disappearing
like meteors from sight.
deeper dad,
he said. go deeper.
and so you did.
and so you will
for all your life.