By Elizabeth Fontaine
Date: 16 August 2000

Utopia



      Utopia

A world onto itself,
Rolling hills, dark rich soil and silky corn fields,
Streams form dividing lines in this wide expanse,
Fields of perfect patchwork squares
One after the other, stand neatly arranged
Antique farmhouse with barn adorned by slate roof
Lacking the modern electric power!
Just windmills churning sporadic light for the lonely
Woman stitching her quilt in the evening glare of
Her oil lantern.

Clothes lines draped with uniform
Black trousers of all sizes, small to large.
White starched shirts, simply styled dresses, adorning
The occassional Amish figure. Boy with straw hat plowing fields
Emulating father's system on rickety old plow pulled by
Mule horses boasting loyalty and obedience.
Boy returns smile, happy to see another human soul sharing
this radiant sunny day!

Sexual frustration runs rampant in Intercourse and
Bird in Hand!  Cigarettes and liquor stores are non-existent with
Conformity as the rule of thumb!  Utopia is one's first impression,
But suppression of vision is constant, as women's few accepted
Roles like childbearing, cooking, cleaning and quilting are meant
To quiet the soul!  But taketh away the creative forces of our spirit to
Squash the essence of our mere existence!  Trust ye in God and all
Good things, but dare not looketh toward the unsightly beauty
Of a woman's long locks or bare breasts or taste her hidden
Treasures of inner zeal for self expression beyond the male
Fortified bastions of the Amish Country!


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