infinite_dwarf

Sep 13, 2008 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

A Hundred Years Ago

Walking through the doors of Longneckers
Feels like stepping back in time
Modern touch has no place
There are no smells and bells here.
The women are plainclothes.
Most sewn by hand.
All heads are covered.
And humility prevails.

Songs are a capella
Prayers are knelt to
No idol figures will be seen here.
No paint is on the windows
The men and women sit on opposite sides
As it once was a hundred years ago

Old man Eshleman's voice
Reading from his battered hymnal
One that is not needed
As he knows them all by heart
And the look on his face
Is one of true peace for the moment.
As material worries are put aside.

Dr. Kilgore's sermons are from the heart
No scripts, no notes.
No fire and brimstone.
Admonishments will not be heard.
Only love and peace
And the true adoration of our Lord.
As it always was
As it always will be
Just like a hundred years ago.....

* Had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Mennonite meeting a couple months back. Dr. Kilgore is Jon's father, and is the "main" minister. He and Mr. Eschleman split the service, with Dr. Kilgore doing the main sermon. Longneckers is the meeting house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It will be an honor to be joining this family.

— infinite_dwarf, Sep 13, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: North Carolina, USA, USA

Favorite Poets: E.A. Poe, Lewis Carroll, Charles Bukowski, Michael McClure, Lawrence Ferlenghetti.

Critiques

Linda Moses

17 years 8 months ago

Jess

My brother lives in Ohio in Amish country, and I had always thought it would be so nice to live among them. I have Mennonite friends, in Ohio and Texas. You are with good people. This is a very good write

infinite_dwarf

17 years 8 months ago

Thanks, Linda!

I agree! They are good people, and it's sad that they only have possibly another couple of generations left. Jon's brother just got married a couple of years ago, and he literally only had a couple girls to choose from near his age range. And yet, even as recent as about 30 years ago, meeting was PACKED! I counted less than 35 people, and Jon was related to 3/4 of them. Two were off in Illinois at another community, so there should have been 37, but still.... thanks for the comments! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "I just read an article on the dangers of drinking.... Scared the crap out of me. So that's it! After today, no more reading!" - Lex M.

Mark

17 years 8 months ago

I think

this is the simple life some would really like to live other than maybe moving to somewhere like northwest Canada. But then, there, one would be alone. This is a wonderful tribute to friends and family Jess. Best wishes for you all. Mark

infinite_dwarf

17 years 8 months ago

Unfortunately

The Mennonite faith is going the way of the other plainclothes faiths. No one believes in the giving up of self and humility anymore. I only know of several communities of the Reform: Ohio, Illinois, Canada, Pennsylvania, and Iowa (I think.... Iowa might not be a reform community) Thanks for the read, and the wishes. :~) ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "I just read an article on the dangers of drinking.... Scared the crap out of me. So that's it! After today, no more reading!" - Lex M.

Eduardo Cruz

17 years 8 months ago

the way

Jess, I have always loved true worship the way it's written in the Bible. God clearly said he did not want any thing to do with idols. He said your prayer should be to me and not to images. I am happy for you to have found a woman who seeks the truth. Good for you!! very very good piece, congrats on both. Eddie if a man does not know love, he does not know God

infinite_dwarf

17 years 8 months ago

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.....shakes head

"I am happy for you to have found a woman who seeks the truth." - Either you have me confused for Weirdelf (his name is Jess, too) or maybe you thought my name is short for the masculine Jesse. I'm a girl. *ducks head in shame* maybe I should start using my full name, Jessica in my posts. Regardless, I really appreciate your comments. I agree that the Mennonite faith is quite humble and simple. I was Baptist for the longest time, so I'm sure you can understand my appreciation for simple worship! LOL! thanks again, my friend. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "I just read an article on the dangers of drinking.... Scared the crap out of me. So that's it! After today, no more reading!" - Lex M.

Eduardo Cruz

17 years 8 months ago

apologies

Jessica, I feel like an idiot. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I never said I was that bright, and here I go and prove it again. I still enjoyed the piece. My most sincere apologies Eddie The shorts distance of an excuse, is zero meters

themoonman

17 years 8 months ago

Hi Jess...

special people... I've been to Amish communities.. never attended a mennonite service, but have attended most other branches of religion.. it seems to be a more simple life, not simple to do or live but simple with what is needed to survive is sufficient.. I couldn't do it myself.. but I do see the need for such ways... your poem was good... a nice tribute for the family and the faith... Richard

poewriter58

17 years 8 months ago

Jessica

There was something very peaceful about this writing , image provoking, nostalgic excellent work Mom

orgami

17 years 8 months ago

the view of faith

peaceful I liked your poem i like teachings that are calm

rider68

17 years 8 months ago

Hi Jess

An endearing respectful pieceful account, I hope it becomes all that you hope, Kindest Regards........ Peter ~~~~~~~~~Creativity Is to think more efficiently~~~~~~~~~~

Kailashana

17 years 8 months ago

Hi Jess, welcome back and

Hi Jess, welcome back and blessings to you and your intended. May you create joy. (maybe literally Joy, if she's a she ;-) I live not far from the Amish and have visited Lancaster when I lived in NJ. Simple times. I think this is an appropriate place to share these 3 wonderful videos. An amazing woman who lives and creates stone sculptures that will never be in a museum. She makes a circumnavigation of the the world along the same horizontal line. Amazing. The indigenous peoples are vanishing worldwide. Hope you all enjoy and share it with your spheres of influence. (I am a regular contributing poet on Ivan Granger's Poetry Chaikhana's Forum, though I have not yet been featured on http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/ http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Forum/ *Sacred Poetry* from past and present, from every *tradition*. There are 3 videos on Ms. Vijali's World-Wheel-Project... here in Ivan's blog. http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/09/10/video-vijalis-world-wheel-project

infinite_dwarf

17 years 8 months ago

Anna

"(maybe literally Joy, if she’s a she ;-)" - LMAO!!!! Sorry sister, I don't swing that way.... I think that statement just made my week - thanks for the good laugh. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "I just read an article on the dangers of drinking.... Scared the crap out of me. So that's it! After today, no more reading!" - Lex M.