Poets Corner

"A Stark Reminder"

Help us Brothers tae save our Walk,

Don’t gie the public room tae talk,

And if you really love the Craft,

Don’t drink too much, don’t act daft,

There’s plenty time tae hae a few,

Back at the Lodge and oot O’ view,

So if drinking beforehand, keep the heed,

Don’t miss the Walk through your own greed,

And remember Brothers the Craft’s on show,

We can only reap what we all sow.

Bro. James Stark, S.D. Lodge.No.236. 2001

"Archie's Walk"

The twenty eighth O' June twa thousand an three
The day that Archie's Walk wiz tae be
The sky it hung heavy it wiz awfy grey
But we widna let that spoil the day
Doon the Main Street intae Manse Road
Naebody sure whether the clouds wid unload
As the Walk halted at Archie's hoose
Up above the sun it let loose
Four men went in an five men came oot
Once again the Walk wiz on route
Oot tae Wilsontown an orderly walk
Gie'n the public nae room tae talk
Once at the Store there were refreshments an patter
And even a tent if ye hid tae pass watter
A few in the Lounge the rest in the baur
The Merry Masons wiz blastin oot o' a caur
Wae Geodie an Tracy servin up the drink
The view doon the valley wiz lookin fair pink
It wiz a beautiful day fur a drink an a blether
So bless "Capt Morgan" an God for the weather
So back intae Forth the Walk wiz spot on
Wae Dougie the piper at the front o' the throng
Twiz a wonderful day and everyone a winner
As back in the Lodge we sat doon tae dinner
We hid a wee laugh as Davy dropped the odd dish
And some o' the lads did take the ....... Mickey
As the night it wore on the wives did arrive
And Wilson Marshall started tae jive
It wiz a great night the Junior Deacon could barely stand
And we need tae gie thanks tae a very guid band
So the Walk is ower fur anither year
Ye'll need tae find a party if ye're wantin mair beer
So if there's wan thing we've learnt, the loss isn't oors
If ye didn't turn up, the loss it is yours.

Bro. James Stark, S.D. Lodge No.236
July 2003.

“The Faithful Few”

When the meeting’s called to order
And you look about the room
You’re sure to see some faces,
That from out the shadows looms,
They are always at the meeting,
And stay till it is through,
The ones that I would mention,
Are the Always Faithful Few.

They fill the vacant offices,
They are always on the spot,
No matter what’s the weather,
Though it may be awful hot,
It may be dark and rainy,
But they are tried and true,
The ones that you rely on,
Are the Always Faithful Few.

There are a lot of worthy members,
Who come when in the mood?
When everything’s convenient,
They can do a little good,
They’re a factor in the Order,
And are necessary, too,
But the ones who never fail us,
Are the Always Faithful Few?

If it were not for these faithful,
Whose shoulders at the wheel,
Keep the Order moving onward,
Without a halt or reel.
What would be the fate of Orders?
Who have so much to do,
They surely would go under,
But for the Faithful Few.

Anon

"It'll No Dae Ye Ony Harm"

Welcome son, there's a chair,
Sit ye doon, yiv nowt tae fear.
Dae ye hae faith, are ye a guid man,
Huv ye reached the age o' twenty wan.

Aw questions answered, committee are pleased,
Yir proposer and seconder are appeased,
We'll ballot you at oor next meeting,
Lookin oot fur black baws an' ony greetin.

Ye'll get a letter fur yer First,
Dinnae worry, its no the worst,
Second, Third and then yir Mark,
Oor secret ways aren't sae dark,

Noo yir a Brother and yir keen,
Tae see ithers standin where you've been,
Tae see the rituals ye didna see,
In perfect peace and harmony.

Bro. James Stark, S.D. Lodge No.236, 2002

Most of us quarrel at some time or other,
Perhaps with a sister, or maybe a brother,
Sometimes with parents, often with friends,
The important thing is - do we then make amends?
A quarrel not healed, will fester and grow,
So take the first step, say you're sorry and show
That you're willing to let the past be the past,
For life is too short to let old grudges last.

Anon

In bygone days at Wilsontown,

When furnaces were blowing,

And mines and pits for coal and ore

Were wrought to keep them going,

A public hall for social needs,

By Wilson was erected,

But when the furnaces were stopped,

The place was soon neglected,

The hall an' a'.

Rev. James Robertson, Forth.