Poem Fest at a Mennonite School

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The evening was cool with a refreshing breeze after the heat of the day. The last rays of the setting sun were faintly visible on the western sky as families gathered on the yard of the 2-room concrete school building. We had been invited to a Poem Fest around a campfire; not having been to one for many years I wondered what it would be like and surprised that such an event would still be possible in the age of Iphone 14's, 5G networks, ChatGPT, drones, etc.
  I was amazed at the number of people that turned out for the Poem Fest. Once everyone was assembled the electric lights were turned out and only the orange glow of the campfire remained. Those with a poem were numbered, after which the school teacher called them out. Some poems were short and silly, some were long and abstract, a few were religious. There was a song and one or two Bible verses.
  A marshmallow roast followed with young and old joining in the fun.
  As I observed the chattering children and heard their clear voices reciting, I acquired a deeper appreciation for this old-fashioned method of parochial school teaching. I could see the excellent level of communication between teacher and student, the clean language spoken (at least on the school grounds), the respect and trust from student toward teacher and vice versa. I stared at the campfire, saddened by the thought that this school might not be open the following term after having been in operation for nearly 30 years yet hopeful that somehow, something could work out.
  Wood popped, the fire sputtered. I roused myself from my musings and joined the line at the refreshment table.















A. Mendoza

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