On Rolling into Colorado

On Thursday, September 20, we rolled from Utah into Colorado.  That same day, our middle daughter Cokie, sent me this poem.  Pretty well captures it.

Autumn in the Rockies

brings bronze-scarlet leaves in waves

and heavy, golden pumpkins,

their flesh smooth, warm,

balsamic, and buttery

as cooler days ripen tomatoes,

heavy on the vine

juicy, luscious, savory-sweet

both offerings are found organic

and a staple of sustainable practice here

Icy and clear-skied winter

brings snow-capped mountains

and seemingly-incongruous oh-so-green snap peas

crunchy, sunny, and laden

with toothsome gems inside

coupled with winter squash

their tender, raw-satin pulp

creamy-rich for the season,

both delicacies reinforce our eco-diversity

Verdant and capricious spring

pushes tender shoots up through the snow

asparagus tips bright and cool,

crunchy-tender, almost-woody

and later:

firm, sweet-tart apples

aromatic, sweet, and wild,

weighty on branches

even fresher, more divine because of local sourcing

 

When summer comes across the western slope

corn stalks shoot tall in the heat,

delicious ears, silk-wrapped -

crisp, dulcet, mellow, and floral

but the very best find of the summer:

soft, velvet peaches

honeyed, nectarous, thick juices

dripping down your chin

both heady, exquisite, and nutrient-rich

 

These lovely seasonal offerings

help balance the resources of the earth:

these whole foods of the Rocky Mountains,

unparalleled and ever-abundant

 

~Cadiz Gomez