An Amish Renga Poem

An Amish Renga Poem

By Katherine Szerdy

Mother-daughter trip

To Garden Gate Getaway

Amish paradise

Glistening winter wonderland

Or warm weather escape

Hospitality

Carol, Herb, and Beverly

Have a special knack

For providing a haven--

Go out of way to spoil guests.

Take some time to tour

Baltic, Charm, and Sugarcreek,

Millersburg, Berlin--

You will be forced to slow down

Behind buggy climbing hill.

Pale pinks, purples, blues,

Pastel sky reflecting off

Snow covered corn fields

And west farm house windows

Pastoral simplicity.

Alongside of road

Rugged old Amish man walks

Lunch pail in hand

In below zero wind chill,

Miles to go before he’s home.

And we Englishers

Have the gall to air complaints

About Frosty’s nip--

Don’t miss out on the lessons

Which Old Man Winter teaches.

Slow down, take the time

Enjoy sparkling snow landscapes

See the horse’s breath?

Hear snow crunch under your feet

Feel the cold tickle your nose.

Time to head back home

After Mom-daughter retreat

We’ll be back next year

To smell sparkling snowflakes fall,

And taste Carol’s homemade bread.