Our farm market opened on Saturday
I walked bareheaded among the vendors
choosing rhubarb, wheat bread and hoop-house greens
a spring awakening, this diverse mix

I walked bareheaded among the vendors
bright colored turbans, Amish black bonnets
a spring awakening, this diverse mix
worlds apart seen here together

Bright colored turbans, Amish black bonnets
gauze caps of the Mennonite with ribbon ties
worlds apart seen here together
to shop and to sell nourishing food

Gauze caps of the Mennonite with ribbon ties
more plain clothed with head scarves
to shop and to sell nourishing food
hatless on home turf, am I the stranger

More plain clothed with head scarves
burkas and nuns in full habits cross paths
hatless on home turf, am I the stranger
choosing pastries, ice cream churned on the spot

Burkas and nuns in full habits cross paths
at once so different so much alike
choosing pastries, ice cream churned on the spot
their head gear collaged to appear as one

At once so different so much alike
assorted wear enlivens our town
with head gear collaged to appear as one
even bareheaded, I fit with the rest.

Kathleen Serley is a lifelong Wisconsin resident and retired educator. She has a Ph.D. from UW-Madison and serves as Mid-Central VP for Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. Her first book of poetry was released by Water’s Edge Press in Spring 2022.