It Doesn’t Take Much

The Amish are humble. No need to be vain.
Their dresses are homemade; their aprons are plain.
Their prayer caps just sit on hair that’s pulled back.
Their tie shoes are sturdy; their stockings are black.

My wardrobe selection is quite a bit vaster.
It doesn’t take much to look good in Lancaster.

Some of the Mennonites dress just like us.
Others sew their own dresses but make no big fuss.
They come to mid calf and cover enough.
No makeup. No jewelry. No haircut. It’s rough.

Even on days when your hair’s a disaster,
It still doesn’t take much to look good in Lancaster.

The Martinite men wear fedoras outside.
Suspenders hold up their pants as they ride
Bicycles purchased at old Martin’s Bikes.
Oddly enough, they all look alike.

When zippers are shunned as too fancy fasteners,
It doesn’t take much to look good in Lancaster.

River Brethren moms look like old Mother Goose
With bonnets and dresses that fit rather loose.
They drive great big vans that hold quite a brood
Of children and babies and all of their food.

No slave to fashion, there’s nothing to master.
It doesn’t take much to look good in Lancaster.

Bonton and Boscov’s—two stores at our mall
Sell sweatshirts with pictures for Christmas and fall.
Snowmen and kittens and Santa and all,
Popular items size XL to small.

Shop out of town! The Internet’s faster!
It just doesn’t take much to look good in Lancaster.

Gardner 2010