A Past Master's Lament

King Solomon

This nice little poem was sent to me by W Bro Dave Smith of Peterwell Lodge who found it on Solomon. Hopefully it will encourage people to explore Solomon, which is a fabulous resource.

A PAST MASTERS LAMENT

How am I doing? I’m doing just fine.

I may have arthritis in both of my knees

And, when chatting to cronies, have a bit of a wheeze.

My pulse may be weak and the blood’s a bit thin

But I’m awfully well given the shape I am in...

Sleep’s a bit fitful... (and there’s a groove to the loo);

My eyes close at lunchtime, for a minute or two;

My wife writes me lists of things to be done

But, with just one completed, the afternoon’s gone!

The Lodge is my life-line, that’s always been true;

Though those evenings seem longer and the words sound quite new.

This belt gets far tighter, can that apron be mine?

And kind hands now ‘dress me’, which is surely a sign?

The memory is failing; sorry, what was your name?

So I missed last month’s meeting; they all seem the same.

New chaps are joining, thus our ‘lectures’ are few,

But where, my good friend, are the faces I knew?

Once proud of the Ritual I knew every word,

But alas, my loud promptings are sometimes still heard;

Though the DC and Master I often enrage,

When the words I recall are not from their page.

My hearing’s first-class, although others will mumble,

And I only wear specs to save a fresh tumble.

The teeth are worn flat by the mints that I chew

So, our ‘roasts’ are a test; I now prefer stew.

But I’m still a good ‘runner’, given the miles on the clock,

Mere light wear and tea, just ask my doc?

True, the voice may be frail and the hair’s a bit thin,

But I’m awfully well; given the shape I am in...

You may ask me again, even time after time...

How am I doing? I’m doing just fine!