Independent Thoughts from North America

By Eileen Rae Moore

Independent Thoughts from North America has six divisions, including states, animals, politics, religion, holidays, and memories. I started writing these poems when teaching High School grades 9-12 at Saugus HS and Valencia HS. These poems are written in various styles from free verse to rhyming. Some divisions have miscellaneous poems included. My life experiences and travels are reflected throughout the book. I hope you enjoy reading each poem and that they reflect your life\'s experiences - past, present, and future.

Bon Voyage!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662475528

Book preview

Hawaii

There are six islands in this

state by the Pacific Ocean,

Each one different to the eye

and reflecting our emotion.

Oahu with the palace and

the capitol block,

With Pearl Harbor and the

Punch Bowl and a lot of talk.

Maui has luaus and

the Pineapple Railway,

Kaui trails and many

curvy roads and byways.

Molokai the coffee farm

and the chapel of Fr. Damien,

Big Island the volcano

and endless black sand.

Nihau an island where

pineapples are grown,

The last are small and

not too well-known.

Washington

Orcas, the world’s largest dolphins

live in the waters of Puget Sound,

Far from the coast is Mount St. Helens an

active volcano that blew up all around.

This state has the only rain forest—

temperate and named Hoh,

With lots of moisture on the peninsula

—a neat place to go!

Fresh seafood can be had from

the coastal waters and rivers,

Giving all of us a taste of great

food and backbone shivers!

The Grand Coulee Dam provides

electricity for all,

With Boeing and Microsoft giving

us a boost in economic power

that’s not very small!

Oregon

Settlers from the East took the

Oregon Trail to the Valley of the Williamette,

Wagon trains were their way to travel

giving them a new home and yet.

Railroads next linked the US from

East to West,

Giving those who dared a state

to live in—one of the best!

Forestry, Fishing and Farming

make up the economy,

In today’s world computers, electronics,

and research are careers open to you and me.

Snow-covered volcanos with old

forests and the rocky coast,

Leave all of us wanting to travel

here so we can boast!

We hear the noisy seals many

times throughout their play,

And see the beautiful seacoast

in rain or sun each day.

Alaska

From mountain peaks to

the waters below,

We see the wildlife

looking high and low.

Just checking for food

which can be found,

Where people camp out

on the hills or the ground!

Some snow can be found

where peaks rise to the sky,

It gives you a feeling

of wanting to fly.

Pieces of glaciers float

by in the Fjord,

Everyone notices as they

arrive on board.

The scenes here are

many and varied to see,

From each building in town

to many green trees.

So enjoy all the views as

you travel on,

Before you know it the

day will be gone!

California Living

Out by the Joshua Trees

in a desert terrain,

Where the wind blows hot

with a scarce amount of rain.

The poppies bloom endless

for miles upon miles,

Just looking so colorful

with welcoming smiles.

This area has differences

far away from the ocean,

Giving us a feeling of awe

with some deep emotion.

Instead of waves we have

an endless vista of cactus,

Granting many people scenes

of blooms without much fuss!

Santa Clarita

This valley—part of early history,

as a man looking for food sees gold.

This valley—site of an ancient Indian

meeting tree near black gold—oil.

This valley—home to many civilizations

of people, from Allilick Indians to us.

This valley—part of the West, and

immortalized in silent films and movies today.

This valley—both ancient and modern

ways, side by side—in peaceful existence.

Southern CA

The frosty morning air reveals

white-crested mountain peaks.

The lower valley is snow free,

and a slight breeze ruffles the palm trees.

Two types of winter are pictured,

one cold, the other tropical.

This is the enigma of Southern California

Montana

The sky so immense wherever

you look,

As you travel from bottom

to top.

Custers’ battlefield can be

seen here and the history book,

With Remington and all Western

art that never seems to stop!

Glacier Park and Flathead Lake

are near the Canada border,

With Kalispell and

giant juicy cherries.

Everyone notices plenty of

law and order,

And lakes to fish for

Dom and Mary!

Idaho

Halfway up the state is the

town of Twin Falls,

Where many people can

get married.

It’s a peaceful area with

just a few malls,

And the shopping leaves

you less harried.

Law enforcement like

to retire here,

In towns from bottom

to the top.

Boise leads the choice

of residents dear,

Making all areas so

delightful to stop!

Utah

This state was the "Promised

Land" for the Mormon Church,

Having traveled many miles

in wagons to get there.

A Great Salt Lake was where

they chose without a lerch,

And all were happy to arrive

with everyone choosing their lair.

Rocky Cliffs near the bottom

at a place called St. George,

To the top close to the

state of Idaho.

Many people went west

to this state with courage,

And met up with a

lot to show.

Utah

Named for the Ute Indians

who were hunter-gatherer groups,

Many settlers who came west

were guarded by Federal Troops.

The Mormons seeking religious

freedom introduced irrigation and established farms,

And metals found by miners were

considered precious and were mined causing no harm.

The Great Salt Lake—the largest

west is saltier than the ocean,

While Lake Powells’ level dropped

one hundred feet due to drought and created much emotion!

Trappers during the nineteenth century

from the east came searching for beaver fur,

While today 70 percent of the area

is used by the military and defense industry—the Feds concur.

Nevada

Las Vegas with its casinos,

hotels and entertainment,

Attracts many tourists

that experience enjoyment.

Hoover Dam on the Colorado River

supplies water and power to three states,

And the early mining of gold and

silver left many Ghost Towns abandoned in its wake.

The Applegate Trail led across

The Black Rock Desert and then north to Oregon,

Giving an alternate way for

settlers in wagons to be gone.

Vegas Scenes

Tall majestic buildings

that glint in the sun, and sparkle

with colored lights at night.

Each style has a theme

from Rome to Venice to France

to modern and art deco.

Many people come here—

Some to visit, some to gamble, and

some to live out their days.

The taxis and buses and cars—

run to-and-fro—never losing a beat—

in all the business of the day.

The airport and roads—are ports

of entry for people—who arrive and

depart in their experience of Vegas.

The smell of food, and the sounds

of many languages fill the air—

drawing the senses in.

Many experiences are here for

the traveler, and the excitement

is contagious for all.

Las Vegas, a heady and intoxicating

experience, available to all who dare

to come and ride the ride.

Arizona

From the Sagueros so tall

to the bright sunsets,

This state is varied from

top to bottom.

We see the Grand Canyon

so majestic and yet,

The flowering cactus is

colorful for all of them.

Many people loving children

in art go to see Tucson and De Grazia, next to Phoenix in the South.

This famous artist has his

own gallery near the plaza,

Leaving many thoughts expressed

with praise from each mouth!

New Mexico

Road Runners are everywhere

you go,

In this state with

mesas and pueblos.

The Indian Markets have

many goods to show,

And the tortillas and nachos

are good eating for all you know!

Many herds of cattle on

the range so free,

Cowboy songs with tunes

for singing.

Blue Skies above

for you and me,

Give all of us the joy

of living!

Colorado

From the crisp white snow

on the mountaintop,

To brilliant streaks of sunrise

that never seem to stop.

Meadows of vibrant flowers

swaying in the breeze,

Little forest animals

running by with ease.

This land so widespread

and vast to the eye,

Seems to reach out and

grab you to say Let’s fly.

We will visit the mountains

and the eastern plains,

And go to the sand dunes

with sparkling grains.

Upon the highest mountain

peaks we see,

Vistas ongoing

the land so free.

Indians once traveled

its length and width,

Settling in areas,

both high and low.

Buildings and arrowheads

remain,

All from the past

for us to show.

Those coming after a heritage

gained,

Seasons upon seasons in snow

and rain.

This beautiful land has

differences too,

With its people