For Miss Elmore’s second grade class, she assigned her students to write a poem about what each of them loves about Vermont. 

“Vermont is a very special state.” She explained in front of a roomful of tousled blond heads and wide, lucid eyes.  “Does anyone know what Vermont is known for?” 

Several answers came up, including maple syrup, creemees, mountains, lakes, ice cream, and, from a little boy named Hugo: boring stuff. 

“Can you elaborate for us?” Miss Elmore pressed gently.  

Hugo shrugged and slumped down his seat a little.  

“Well, for this next project, I would like for each of you to write a poem about all the things you love about our state. 

Did you know that two United States presidents were born right here in the Green Mountain State?  Can anyone tell me who those two presidents are?” 

A girl named Charlotte’s hand shot up.  “Ooh!  Chester Arthur and Calvin Coolidge!” 

Miss Elmore smiled.  “That’s right,” she exclaimed.  “And one of those presidents, Calvin Coolidge, delivered a famous speech in 1928 that was entitled ‘Vermont is a State I Love’.  So, I’d like you to title your poems after that.” 

Hugo’s hand raised again.  “But, Miss Elmore, what if Vermont isn’t a state we love?  What if it’s a state we hate?” 

Miss Elmore walked up to Hugo and smiled down at the little boy.  “Then call it that: ‘Vermont is a State I Hate.’  And write about all the things that you hate about Vermont.” 

At this Hugo nodded and began to scrawl on the sheet of paper in front of him.  

Days later, each student presented their poem to the class.  A little boy named Finn wrote about the ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s (his favorite flavor being Chunky Monkey) and Cabot cheddar cheese.  A girl named Eleanor penned hers about fishing with her brother on Lake Willoughby.  

When it came Hugo’s turn, he stood at the front of the classroom and read his ‘Vermont is a State I Hate’ poem aloud: 

Vermont is a state I hate. 

It’s always cold and always snowing. 

My socks get wet and my toes get red. 

We have to rake leaves forever. 

Then they come back again. 

And the maple syrup sticks to my fingers. 

I wish I lived in Florida. 

They have alligators and the ocean. 

Vermont has stick season and mud season. 

That’s it.  

Vermont is a state I hate.