Another Third Degree

Once again the drama unfolds
Parts are played and lessons told

A Brother enters - hoodwinked, unaware
Of what fell doings will happen there.

He need not fear, the Craft is kind.
‘tis a great lesson which he will find.

The Obligation is taken yet one more time
and still another vow is made.

Since ancient times Brothers learn and grow
This sacred mystery to know.

To learn to be a Master subduing all strife
Brothers helping Brothers throughout life

No secrets here - the truth is for all to know
To study, to learn, and always to grow.

To find God’s reward at the end of the search
A Master Mason, a Brother, a true friend each.

Lodge is a school and our life a study, we work together and once again
The drama unfolds, parts are played and we learn to be men.

Contentment

Wraped in my terry cloth robe,

Reclining on my chair.

Bailey climbs up and stretches out against my leg.

Cassie (cat) carefully positions herself on my shoulder like a fur wrap.

And Max (not to be left out) comes and stands beside me and whuffles to have his ears scratched.

It's nap time and how could I be more content?

The world can go on by while my friends and I recline together.  Perfect!

November 9, 2006

Pigeons

I always thought of Pigeons as “rat birds”

Hanging around everywhere – sitting and shitting on everything.

But they were kinda pretty. Iridescent feathers that caught the light just right.

We used to have lots of pigeons.

I wonder where they have gone.

November 3, 2007

Driving across Iowa on Highway 30

November - clear, crisp day

Fall. You can still see the colors on the trees.

Iowa is not flat!

The Bohemian hills open vistas of Iowa beauty.

The mind edits out the garbage.
Rusty combines, wagons, telephone wires.
Some hidden midst the brush.

I can’t take a picture because they would ruin it.
That is all you would see.

Sometimes the “garbage” is really very beautiful.
A barn falling down, weathering away.
A pile of brush. Waiting for the sacrificial burn.

Telephone poles line the road. Their crosses remind me of Spartacus

Crucifixions carried out - evenly spaced - along the Roman road.

He wanted freedom.

Iowa is free.

Iowa is beautiful.

Just look!

The Ladies Who Lunch

The ladies have assembled around their luncheon table.
Harriet, Margaret, Susie and Mabel.

One by one they came to eat
to chat and visit – again to meet.

Smiles, laughs, greetings galore
friendship, love and purses on the floor.

They talk and share and order their lunch
You can tell they are a most friendly bunch

Getting together once a week
this gathering is not for the meek.

Their salads come and their forks they deploy
you can tell this is a luncheon they will enjoy.

They catch up on all the news
Sharing with one another their views.

No gossip here – they are not that type
But occasionally you will hear a gripe.

About a husband , son or some other man
Someone who should be hit over the head with a pan.

But – they are really too sweet, gentle and neat
And lunch is soon over – finished, complete.

Napkins are used and the bill is split
The ladies who lunch are ready to quit.

Hugs and kisses all around
Purses are picked up from the ground.

They are soon off to their afternoon pleasures
This is a luncheon that they will treasure.

The ladies have met once again for lunch
A most friendly, congenial , wonderful bunch.

To Do

There are places in this world that I will never see.
People who I will never meet and
food that I will never eat.

But someone else will

There are roads over which I shall never travel
and bridges, that I shall never cross.
I may never travel to the moon

But someone else has.

There are poems, which I shall never write.
Some movies and plays will never be seen by me
and there are just too many books to read.

But someone else can.

There are songs to be written
Paintings to be painted
Dances to be danced.

By someone or something.

So get out there and do as much as you can
Do, Be, Become that someone.
Take pictures and write about it
Then share it with me.

So I can do it too.

October 7, 2007

Dick Campbell

Dick Campbell

Sometimes a man stands so tall
In our eyes that his
Life is a shining beacon for others.
Virtuous and righteous for
Everyone to emulate
Ready to help another
Fortunate are his family and friends
One such as this was our Brother, the
eXraordinary, Dick Campbell .

Jay Cole Simser
July 31, 2004

I wrote this in my head on the way back from Dick's funeral. It is an acrostic. The highlighted letters spell out his e-mail address. Dick was a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and also of the Grand Council. He received the Columbian Award from the General Grand Council and was an outstanding man. His wife was one of my High School Teachers.