Instead of just saying something was in vain, describe the "seeds planted in salt" or "shouting into a storm."
Explore "uzalud" in the context of love, art, and time. This is a common theme in Balkan poetry (like the works of Aleksa Šantić or Desanka Maksimović). Key Points: uzalud
Which of these directions feels most like what you had in mind, or Instead of just saying something was in vain,
The tragedy of time: How we try to preserve moments that are destined to fade. uzalud