Lamenting the Vanished

Along the beach,

A long line of smiling faces, drawn in the sand.

Some near, others distant.

Some ever-present, others intermittent,

Yet loved all the same.

And yet,

Amidst the memories laid across the sands -

There are gaps.

Harsh, industrial efforts made at removal.

And - although the excursions are successful,

The sands are not left as they once were.

Large gaping holes, all in lieu of faces.

The smiles have vanished, yes,

But something far more severe

Remains on the dunes now; lamented.