I watched them chase the butterflies
and scream in summers delight,
spades and buckets in their hands
they were taller than the mites.
*
Some blew on the dandelion clock
to declare the time of day,
and in the field beyond the beach
a tractor gathered hay.
*
Down the steps of hand carved stones
came a gentle wave from the sea,
the children went to greet it
stumbling to their knees.
*
Sandcastles built with mussel-shell walls
topped off with a seagulls feather,
the beach a mass of dug out holes
in search of buried treasure.
*
They ran up and down on the sand dunes
and chased the receding tide,
ah! But in my mind it all ebbs back
There forever to reside.
Honorable winner
Adding your comment:
This poem reminds me of a somewhat similar carefree time in my own childhood in Michigan. ah... THAT was the life!! I love your very brilliant use of "real" vocabulary (vs. metaphor) in defining these precious moments in time. 
