Sandcastles

I waited for him there,
where sandcastles gave way
to footsteps,
and the tide pools
emptied
into the ocean.

In the fading sunlight,
wrinkles stretched
like shadows at sunset,
and I saw myself
in the red around his eyes.

He did not ask forgiveness,
but I offered pity
when he spoke,
"How can you save
that which is already dead?"