Poetry and a bit of information on living among the Amish.

Amish, mennonites, old order amish, new order, conservative mennonites, hutterites, bretheren, amish-mennonites... moving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania certainly opened up my eyes to some new belief systems.  Like most tourists, I too became interested in the who's and whys of these plain people.  Simple people who call us The English.  I pass them every day in horse drawn buggies, shop in the same stores, and sit down in the same restaurants to eat a meal with my family.  I've admired them, and I've mourned with them during the Nickel Mines shooting. 

I've been astonished by their ingenuity. Computers, cell phones, and changing electrical appliances and equipment to gas powered for the sake of remaining separate from the world. Yes, some, not all, use a computer for business. Some carry cell phones, and quite a few have telephones outside their homes where families may share a phone.  Although they may not own a car, it's okay to pay someone else to drive them around.  Each ordnung or district sets the rules for the families in the hope of keeping families together and separate from the evils of society.

I enjoy their uniqueness in our society. I value the hard work they put into their families and crafts.  I applaud their faith and forgiveness.  Having five children of my own, I understand how they want to protect their way of life. I've witnessed their charity, and this poem is for them:
 

Amish Calypso

Black blankets grace laps,

Horses trot in line,

Sunday in Lancaster,

A calypso clopping time.

Clicking of each sturdy hoof,

While men don black hats,

Some in covered buggies,

Some in wagon flats.

One by one they clip and clop,

Heading down back roads,

To gather for Sunday chat,

Families sitting toe to toe.

Little lads in straw hats,

Girls’ braids neatly tied,

Perfectly dressed on Sunday,

For a horse and buggy ride.

Capes, bonnets, rosy cheeks,

Smiles all ablaze,

Winter snow, vast vacant fields,

Dreaming of warmer days.

Simple moments caught in time,

Tourists stop to stare,

Filming with wonder,

This family atmosphere.

Drums beating? Think again,

No instruments… just voice,

Echo through the valley,

As the Amish all rejoice.

Praising God for all that is,

Amish buggies in a row,

Wondrous calypso,

Spreading God’s love as they go.

Copywritten 2007  Suzanne DeRemer Floyd