The Black Buggy
By Elton Camp
North on Highway Forty-Three
Up into the state of Tennessee
Ethridge is the name of the place
A colony of the Amish embrace
Wide gravel lanes to the side
Is where the buggies can ride
Out of the speeding traffic lane
Since cars, the Plain Folk disdain
A few drivers shout in anger as they drive
But a way of life is struggling to survive
Moving at such a slow gait
We have no right to berate
They have time and eyes to see
Green pasture and passing tree
Roadside flowers in finest array
They’re able to enjoy every day
A majestic hawk perched high
Car drivers miss speeding by
Clouds all of fleecy white
To them, an amazing sight
Riding in the open air
Wind rustles their hair
When the gas prices rise,
It’s nothing in their eyes
It’s partially a solution
To the crisis of pollution
And they have never yet
Paid car repair shop debt
For car insurance, no need
Just a sturdy horse to feed
Families talk as they roll along
Or even share a happy song
With just a leisurely drive
At their homes they arrive.
Usually clean, painted white
Not any electric line in sight
So they never have reason to deplore
When the electric board says, “More.”
Must be quite a thrill
Paying no utility bill
Perhaps the best thing yet
Is the absence of a TV set
Oprah is to them unknown
MTV to Amish isn’t shown
New, exciting soap opera star?
Don’t even know who they are
For “As the World Turns,” they don’t care
About the leading character’s latest affair
Plain Folk have no reason to fear
Their clothes not in style next year
For persons dressed in basic black
Of “name brands” feel no lack
Their weight stays just right
Without need for a special diet
Amish lifestyle always include
Hard work and wholesome food
Makeup has never touched a face
Sinful pride would be a disgrace
Whether women be young or old
No neck or ears decked with gold
It’s felt to be very wrong
Unless her hair stays long
No woman can be discovered
Who has her head uncovered
Beards on the married men
Its absence thought to be a sin
Wars the “English” fight
Not to them any delight
Gives them nary a thrill
Nation’s enemies to kill
Wisdom from above
Requires godly love
There’s no basis for doubt
Amish try to carry that out
“What if everybody felt that way?”
Some patriot zealot is sure to say
Then newspaper would all proclaim
“They gave a war and nobody came.”
Copyright © Elton Camp | Year Posted 2014
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