The ceremony of the crossing of keys

begins in earnest with the payment of fees.

donations in a velvet box

of juniper wood and sinister locks.

The master elect is exactly correct

in long tails, head intently erect.

A serious ritual is about to ensue

with a well - honed speech

and a well - honed view.

Aprons donned and regalia shewn,

it's all in the game,  consider a loan .

the trappings of power and humility

strange bedfellows, oddfellows

a community.

Brethren invited,  intonements incited

(brothers* is for unions , not serious enough)

there's always hyprocisy when things get tough.

 

 

Playing it straight, thinking the same

same hymn sheet gives solace when playing the game.

All good pals and jolly good company,

Victorian values, pentangle minds

a shadowy cause and a threat that binds.

Le't raise a glass to all our friends,

suspend our reason, for the myth never ends.

The world is beckoning with its pot of gold -

 

let's shake on it,           make on it,

come in from the cold.