This poem was written based on the following prompts

What Do You See #131

Simply 6 Minutes

Fandango’s Story Starter #43

He felt particularly cynical when it came to their love of books. They believed in the magic they read, that reality could be changed with the turn of a page, they were about to learn some harsh truths. Winter would soon be upon them, and if these girls believed that books would keep them warm, would feed them, would prevent illness from striking, they were in for a grave surprise.

Angrily he strode towards the pair, snatching the book from their hands, ignoring their protests as he hurried into the back room and hid the book, beneath the woollen fleece they would weave over the long winter to keep them warm. There would be no more reading, it was time to learn to survive.

Two days later he retreated…