Taoheng (Tao) Chen

Ode to Dartmouth's Tradition

O Dartmouth, cradle of frosts and flames,

Where seasons carve memories and names.

Beneath the pines rings the Baker-Berry bell,

My fondest tales still rise, waiting for me to tell.

I. First-Year Trips

But long before I'd learned these ways,

I climbed through Cardigan's wooded haze.

Three thousand feet, with tarps for tents,

And strangers turned to firmament.

We traced the sky in breath and bark,

Shared silly games and starlit dark.

First friends, first laughs, first mountain dew (from the spigot)—

That's when I knew—I somehow knew.

Friends, cool friends, now I've got a few. 

II. Homecoming-Bonfire

Then fall arrived with glowing skies,

And I, wide-eyed in first-year ties,

Walked the Green 'round roaring flame,

While upper level students cheered us on 

The bonfire blazed, the air was tight—

In every cheer, in every spark,

I found my footing in the dark.

III. Sunrikes* at Sunrise

Now, when the leaves wear amber flames,

We chase the sun, a group of new and old names.

At five A.M., with groggy cheer,

We hike to heights where skies appear.

The sun peeks out like shy applause,

And paints the trees in fiery gauze.

What quiet mountaintops can reach.

IV. The Snowball Fight

When snow first whispers on the Green,

At exactly midnight, "Dr. Seuss" sends us a text:

"Snow! There's snow! There's lots of snow! Lots and lots of snow to throw!"

"Would you? Could You? Should You?"

Gloves soars, the campus roars,

Snowballs crash like ancient wars.

For just one hour, time stands still—

In flurries, joy becomes the thrill.

V. Molly* Tuesdays

And Tuesdays taste of something sweet:

With Taanvi Gowdar '28

A ritual meal, a weekly treat.

A toast, quite literally, to honey butter and veggie pasta,

Brick oven dreams—delicious pizza

No grand affair, just small delights.

Just carbs, warmth, and winter air.

A booth, a laugh, the week unwinds—

In Molly's walls, we always find.

VI. Carnival* in Snow

And then returns the winter's grip,

Yet joy survives in every slip.

We sled the golf course, reckless, bold,

Our laughter rising through the cold.

Occom Pond becomes a stage—

Of skates and smores, of roars and rage (intense hockey showdown).

We huddle close 'round the fire's breath,

And bless the storm and cheat its death.

VII. Well-fed Feeds*

And every week, beneath Robinson Hall,

We gather near the grill and jars.

Hot Pot steams and spring rolls gleam,

Korean spice and pasta dreams.

From chicken wings upon the Green,

To boba chats and bowls kept clean—

We feed our friends, we feed our souls,

In laughter, sauce, and shared rice bowls.

VIII. Green Key Pulse

Oh Green Key, spring's triumphant call,

You rouse the trees, you wake us all!

With every bass drop, Gold-Coast lawn lay bare,

The campus hums in warmer air.

So here's my ode to Dartmouth's charms,

"It is…a small college…yet, there are those who love it",

It's a small college; it's my small home. 

*Sunrike: Short for "Sunrise Hike", which is a popularized term used at Dartmouth where people wake up super early and hike trails to catch a sunrise!

*Molly Tuesdays: Molly's is a local American diner in Hanover. Molly Tuesdays is a tradition where my friend and I have dinner on Tuesdays at Molly's! 

*Winter Carnival: A long-standing tradition at Dartmouth, where the campus hosts winter-themed events. 

*Feeds: A term at Dartmouth to describe weekly dinners hosted by outdoor subclubs. Typically, the members gather to discuss their recent outdoor trips while sharing a meal together. 

*Green Key: Annual music festival at Dartmouth