I am in Amish Land,

And I look out my window

To find a horse and carriage

Tied to the post that marks the parking spot.

And I wonder at their tenacity,

Their drive to preserve the old way.

I wonder and yet, I also relate.

I am surprised at how much

I am the same.

I live far simpler

Than my contemporaries.

I do not vote. And I cannot be compelled to go to war

Even to save my life or the lives of those I love.

And some people would say that is evil.

But it doesn’t matter.

It’s who I am.

It’s who I came to be.

And though I do not drive a horse and carriage,

I do put reigns upon the places

That the world would lead.

And I find peace

In my simple life. And gratitude.

And I can only imagine that they do too.