I met a dear old man today Who wore a Masonic pin It was old and faded like the man, It's edges worn and thin. I approached the park bench where he sat, To give the old brother his due I said "I see you've traveled East", He said, "I have, have you?" I said, I have and in my day Before the all seeing sun I played in the rubble With Jubala, Jubelo, and Jubalum. He said don't laugh at the work my son It's good and sweet and true..... And if you've traveled as you said You should give these things their due. The word, the sign, the token, The sweet Masonic prayer. The vow that you have taken You have climbed the inner stair. The wages of a Mason are never paid in gold But the gain comes from contentment When you're weak and growing old. You see, I've carried my obligations For almost 50 years It has helped me through the hardships And the failures full of tears... Now I'm losing my mind and body Death is near, but I don't despair I've lived my life upon the level And I'm dying on the square. Sometimes the greatest lessons Are those that are learned anew And the old man in the park today Has changed my point of view. To all my Masonic brothers The only secret is to care May you live upon the level And part upon the square.
I love this poem as well as th one titled I’m ready for my last degree they are so meaningful and say so much about the craft and the commitment to it Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry