THE SNOWMEN OF DONNER SUMMIT

On Tahoe's Donner Summit, on a bleak winter's day

The neighborhood snowmen have gathered to say:

Though we're only with you for part of the year

This ski area development has caused us to fear

That the Sierra mountain we hold oh so dear

Will be ruined by those who won't shed a tear-

    For the fish who will die when the water's lost from the stream,

    When Foster and Syme siphon the water, as they have schemed.

    For the yellow legged frog, and the marten, whose homes will be lost,

    Bulldozed away by those who don't bear the cost.

    For the trees wrenched from the slopes, hillsides turned to mud,

    With snow melt threatening a dire flash flood.

The fate of the willow flycatchers, once snug in their withy-nest

Before the damming of Van Norden Meadow makes us distressed.

Now stars brilliant in the night sky revolve in our gaze,

But with parking lot-lights they'll vanish in glare and in haze

Those chill silent nights that prolong our oh- so brief lives

Will lessen, as development helps global warming arrive.

Our lives are so short, suddenly ended by melt

But we wanted to tell you just how we felt,

For when we are gone, our water goes on to nourish

The plants and the animals, so that they may flourish.

This land shouldn't be built on, but should be a reserve,

A special place to cherish, protect and conserve

No more dams to hold back the water that should flow

Gurgling and bubbling over rocks all aglow

With rays from the sun that warm our pure mountain air

A place to preserve, and a place made to share.

We snowmen are frozen, with hearts made of ice

And yet we hope you'll hear our advice

Please fight for your mountain, tho' it's future looks stark,

Try hard to save it, whether in land trust or park.