Dear Editor:

I just wanted to share a poem written by my 12-year-old niece, Jenna, from Massachusetts, that she adapted from a poem entitled “If You’re Not From The Prairies.” My sister found it in her school folder after their visit to Colorado this winter. It reminds me of how fortunate we are to live here!

If you’re not from Colorado

You don’t know skiing

You can’t know skiing

Giant elk all over the place

Going straight down the mountain’s face

Getting numb hands when you reach the peak

Your tongue freezes up when you try to speak

If you’re not from Colorado

You don’t know happiness

You can’t know happiness

Sitting in front of a toasty fire

Dreaming of things you most desire

Sipping cocoa with your friends

You hope it never ends

If you’re not from Colorado

You don’t know family

You can’t know family

Watching your sister flash a smile

Sitting on a chairlift for awhile

Playing jokes on your brother

When he’s not looking, play another

If you’re not from Colorado…

Andrea Olson

Basalt