Tony Hamilton

The Apprentice Poem

We have required light from the beginning of time
To aid our growth and our flourish
Some achieve the light as the son of our line
Others just concentrate on self-nourish

I remember when I was a boy and my dad worked above and below the land
Always strong and rough but yet comforting to me
One night a week he would leave the house with briefcase in hand
Clean shaven, suited and booted, looking good; what a sight to see

Since I could remember, I never had to wonder where he would be that night
He always made a point of telling me he was going to ‘The Lodge’
As a busy child I just smiled and watched him fade in to the light
Knowing he was away until late; my curfew I could dodge!

I was growing up and my brain started to work in a slightly different way
Thinking of girls, money and kicking a ball for my beloved football team
But I knew they were only my disjointed dreams at the end of another miserable day
Come to me, I think not, or so at that time it would seem

Many a year passed by and the young and the old bull just clashed in opinion
Who wants to join ‘The Lodge’ anyway?, it’s just for the old
But in a flash a surge ran through my veins, yes me, my Father’s minion
I had embraced the question I would need to ask , to become a Freemason I must be bold

Dad, how do I become a mason? Was the question I did ask
What took you so long was the old man’s response, a broad smile hitting his face
I thought to myself he’s smiling so much it looks like he’s wearing a jokers mask
Then it subsided, he dropped his voice and altered his vocal pace

Tony, you’ve asked the question and as your father I will help you to reveal
But I ask you one thing before your next step, what path do you see ahead?
I already knew the answer, not through intellect, but through a pre-determined feel
Dad, it’s really easy, I am only replacing the dead!

The young and old bull became one that day, everything before just seemed daft
My journey and expectation began and I joined; millions of me my brother
To be all seeing, full of light and honoured to be a small part of our craft
Never did I realise that the journey would be as fruitful as my bond with my mother.

A Freemasons Poem

Quite simply one pillar to another was as wide as my brother’s smile
It was the day of the great one’s child in the west and a geometric day in the east
We have taken many steps and followed many signs; for society we go the extra mile
Whilst often invisible we apply endless love, considerable charity and intellectually required guile

We are freemasons and proud, offering each of our communities so much
The silent brother and morale man acts as Santa Claus all year round
Giving to those we love and those who are in need, ours is rarely seen, a silent touch
The eagle soars above silently, rarely seen, but its grip has a definite touch.

Through time itself our brotherhood has stood the trials and test of time
Because the pages of history and future world events requires it should exist
As a desert needs water and day needs night, one of the wonders of the most divine
But never be complacent as the world revolves on a constant changing axis

Now a Virtual Lodge exists and carries love and brotherhood across the globe
But is humble and recognises the view of the intellectual man outside of the square
Because one man’s rags are indeed another man’s robe
And all enquiry, criticism and rejection of our humane beliefs are just, true and fair

We are told a penny is all you need to enrich another’s world, is it just cry and hue?
I implore you to listen to those that believe that our existence is quite simply evil
We are nothing but equal to every other man on this planet, we just follow a path that is true
Maybe one day they will give us a break and recognise that our generous activity is on the level.

Tony Hamilton
Master Mason – Bearsden, Scotland
[email protected]