Little Ted likes to bounce his ball 

on the beach

So did Billy

But he was killed just out of reach

 

Little Ted likes to watch the seagulls 

Swooping overhead 

But, Billy remembers them picking

At the dead

 

Little Ted likes to run into the dunes

To hide & play

Billy still hides from the machine gun’s

Deathly spray

 

But, little Ted doesn't like the sand

Between his toes

And, Billy can remember it blocking

His throat & nose

 

But, little Ted likes making sand castles 

With his bucket & spade!

And Billy thinks…

And Billy thinks 

It was worth the price that he paid

 

And Little Ted goes home with

An ice cream in his hand

And, Billy, once again, fades

Into time's eternal sand.