Appreciating Rochester and Rochester Hills

From time to time it is a good idea to stop, take a breath, and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings.  Those of us who live in the greater Rochester area are richly blessed; our natural environment is lush and welcoming.  I recently ran across a poem published in the Rochester Clarion on February 23, 1934, in which a former Rochester resident named David Reid took the time to admire what he saw around him.  I'll let the poem speak for itself:

ROCHESTER HILLS

by David Reid

I've seen the Blue Ridge Mountains

And the Rockies in the west

But when compared for beauty

The Rochester Hills are best.

We seldom if ever realize

And we sometimes have to roam

Before we can fully appreciate

The beauties we have at home.

I've stood on the bridge in summer

Where many hills are seen

And admired the beautiful scenery

When most everything was green.

I've seen their hills in winter

All covered with ice and snow

I stood in admiration

Till my face was all aglow.

I've watched the sun shining

Many times during the day

On these hills so brightly

That it drove all cares away.

I've seen the sun go down
Behind these hills at night

With colors so impressive

It sure was a beautiful sight.

To Rochester, Nature has been good

And as kind as it could be

It made these hills with beauty

So all that would, could see.

I don't have any further information about the poet, but he did publish several other pieces in the Rochester Clarion around the same time period.  Whoever he was, he clearly appreciated where he lived; 78 years later, his words still ring true.