...near an edge around the sea when tide was between future and past, stairs which appeared as stepping stones into the sea pushed their way up through the surface.   Even though each step was disguised with a covering of sifted sand they were seen breaking with the waves for a moment. 

So at that very moment when just one step of many stairs was pushed slightly above the surface, a musical gate could be heard singing onshore.  Then as a ballerina steps toe to toe children danced on steps which lead deep beyond an edge around the sea.   Without effort they would glide as if on a magic carpet until the tide rose and the spell was broken. 

Called back they were, lured by those tethered behind the shore.  "Come away from the steps for the tide remains high, follow and let us all play above a city where the sand is in the sky."