Drops of Snow, a German folk tale by Shelly Jones

Once, when Snow tumbled to the frozen ground, 

pooling in translucent rivers, the crystals gasped 

at the beauty of the flowers, their petals 

saturated in hues unknown to the colorless Snow. 

“Will you share your gold with me?” 

Snow asked, drifting toward the daffodils. 

But the buttery flowers trumpeted with 

disapproval, shivering as Snow dared inch closer. 

“Will you share your lavender with me?” 

Snow asked, swirling around the hyacinths. 

But the conical flowers bristled, 

shrugging Snow from their florets. 

“Will you share your blush with me?”

Snow asked, melting at crocus’s delicate feet. 

But the little bulbs yawned at Snow’s gentle 

plea, turning their face toward the sun.  

As Snow despaired, receding from the flower beds,

a voice rose, a head bowed in prayer. 

“You may share with us,” offered the snowdrop. 

And Snow wept silvery-white from then on. 

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Shelly Jones, PhD (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of English at SUNY Delhi, where she teaches classes in mythology, folklore, and writing. Her speculative work has previously appeared in Podcastle, New Myths, The Future Fire, and elsewhere. Find her on Twitter @shellyjansen.