THEY TRIED


    They tried to bury


    the beauty, the blinding


    cold of color in


    times of ice and chill.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    They tried to ignore


    the defiance of living


    things, persisting


    underneath it all.


    They tried to make


    you so much smaller,


    pale and chapped,


    the color of winter.


    They tried—