Independent Thoughts from California and Colorado has six divisions, including states, animals, politics, religion, holidays, and wars of the US. I started writing these poems when teaching high school sophomores at Saugus High School. These poems are written in various styles—from free verse to haiku to rhyming. Some divisions have a few miscellaneous poems included. My daily life experiences are reflected throughout the book. I hope you enjoy the reading of each poem and that they also reflect in your life's experiences—past, present, and future! Cheers!