Universe

The following poem was posted in another thread here some time back. Apparently it has been used in some Chapters. I am reposting it here in the Resources forum so it will be easier for people to locate, it they want the text.

Dale

The Mother's Watch, text courtesy of Bro. Patrick Leon.

She never closed her eyes in sleep,
Till we were all in bed.
On party nights when we stayed out,
She often sat and read.
We little thought about it then,
When we were young they say.
How much our mothers worried,
While we children were away.

Why sometimes when we stayed out,
Till one, or two, or three.
It seemed that mother always heard,
The turning of the key.
For always when we got back home,
She'd call, and we'd reply.
But we were all too young back then,
To know the reason why.

Until the last one had come home,
She'd always keep a light.
For she could not sleep until,
She knew we were alright.
She had to know that we were safe,
Before she went to rest.
For she feared the world might harm,
The ones she loved the best.

Someday, she said, when you have grown
To women and to men,
Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through,
It may be different then.
Then came the night when we were called,
To gather around her bed.
Your children are all with you now,
The kindly doctor said.

In her eyes gleamed
That old time, tender light.
Which told us she'd been waiting,
Just to know we were alright.
She smiled that old familiar smile,
And prayed to God to keep.
Us safe from harm, throughout the years,
And then (pause) She went to sleep

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dale Dietzman,

I love the Mother's Watch. In New Jersey, we use it with virtually all presentations of the Flower Talk.

It always brings a tear to my eye, and always touches people so much.

When I do the flower talk (which I do quite often) I like to have it inserted right after "We want each of you to take a flower from this alter. If you mother has passed over to the other shore, you will choose a white flower, and keep it always sacred to her memory. May the sight of it always quicken ever tender memory of her, and strenghten you anew if your efforts to be worthy of her hopes and asperations for you."

Generally, one person does the flower talk, and then another comes in from the west doing the mothers watch. After it, the first person resumes the flower talk.

Good luck with anyone in trying it

um, the mother's watch I believe is a little different then what it is labeled. The copy I have is as follows:

Mother’s Watch
Poem:
She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were safe in bed,
And on party nights 'till we came home she often sat and read.
We little thought about it then as we enjoyed each fun filled day,
Just how much Mama worried while we children were away
And sometimes when we'd stay out late till one, or two or three,
It always seemed that mama heard the turning of the key
And when we'd step inside, she'd call and we'd reply
But we were too young back then to know the reason why.
'Till the last one came home at night she always kept a light,
For mama couldn't sleep until she'd kissed us ALL goodnight.
And once she said, "When you've all grown to women and to men,
Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through, it might be different then".
And so it seemed both night and day we knew a mothers care,
For every night when we came home we found her waiting there.
But then there came the night when were called to gather 'round her bed.
"The children are all with you now", the kindly doctor said.
And in her eyes gleamed that old time tender light,
That told us that she'd been waiting, just to be sure we were alright.
And she smiled that old familiar smile and prayed for God to keep,
Her children safe throught the years, and then mama...then mama went to sleep.

Rest assured as you kneel beside your bed in prayer tonight that your mother is looking
down upon you from on high, and from her soul-filled eyes one glistening tear will fall
onto the pedals of your flower, strengthening you anew in your efforts to be worthy of
her hopes and aspirations for you.

Although a quick search of the Internet did not, for once, turn up any text of this poem, it did reveal that the author is apparently Edgar A. Guest.

If you want to know the original, I suggest you visit a Library and check out some of his work in the poetry section.

Many years ago, so long that it was before we had a Monitor of Ceremonies in print, much less in hypertext, there were several competing versions of the Flower Talk.

This appears to be a similar case, where Mr. Guest's poem may have been edited or adapted to try to blend it more seamlessly with the Flower Talk.

But that is speculation on my part.

However if the copyright is still in force, only the original text should be used, and it should be done separately from the FT, and proper credit to the author given, in any case.

Dad D.

Edited to add: Searching on the first line DID produce a number of hits, (the Title didn't) and some of these indicate different authors. Anyone who researches this and comes to any conclusions whould post their results here.

Dad Dietzman,

You sure do know how to make a gal cry. It has been a very long time since I have even really thought about DeMolay. Reading some of the posts here today reminds me how much I miss you all. I know that Crowley still looks down upon you all. I thank you all for the many memories and truly hope to hear from you again.

Brenda Miller

Hi, Brenda,

I'm glad to know you are still checking the forum occasionally, to see if we're still here (we are).

I know you know that all the DeMolays and the Dads and Moms you knew still have a spot in their hearts reserved "just for Brenda".

The 'growel-meister' may no longer be with us in the flesh, but I'm sure he is grumbeling somewhere, and that we'll meet again. I'm also sure he is pulling any strings available to take care of his boys (and girls), and keep you all safe from the worst that the world can do to you.

He never fooled anyone, the marshmellow heart under the "grumpy old man" exterior always showed through.

Brenda, stay safe and keep in touch, we love to hear from you. BTW, if you remember Jeff Kohl, he just graduated with his MA and is now, I believe a Registered Architect. He is up around Gainesville but I don't have a full address yet.

If you want me to send you his address whn I get it, PM me through the BBS with your e-mail and I will send it to you direct.

Also, Mark Griffis got married yesterday. His Lady Kimberly is now Mrs. Griffis. Since they have been dating for nearly a decade you may know her.

Yours as ever,

Dad D.

In responce to Brother Gasorek (who is one of the most fantastic ritualists in DeMolay International, I must add)

That is definitely the version (with one minor change) that gives me the goosebumps, ever since I first heard Steve Ashman do it. For those non New Jerseyans, the one Chris posted is the Jersey Version. New Jersey is the place where you'll find it most done, as it is sanctioned ritual by our EO.

It would be good, though, if it were researched.

Andrew is no doubt right, NJ is the premier state for DeMolay.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew S:
In responce to Brother Gasorek (who is one of the most fantastic ritualists in DeMolay International, I must add)

That is definitely the version (with one minor change) that gives me the goosebumps, ever since I first heard Steve Ashman do it. For those non New Jerseyans, the one Chris posted is the Jersey Version. New Jersey is the place where you'll find it most done, as it is sanctioned ritual by our EO.

It would be good, though, if it were researched.

To my Brethren, Ladies, & all,

I am a senior demolay [recent :-(] from NY DeMolay...specifically the Metro Division [on LI...the wierd thing sticking out from East of NJ]. Anyways, my home Chapter Wantagh Chapter uses the Flower Talk with the Mother's Watch at the end. We have one person do it. But we have adapted it as a Mother's Tribute, with te Senior Deacon traveling the "earth" [S, W, N, & E] for tributes to our mother's. It all concludes with the Flower Talk done by a chosen Orator. Our "Mother's Watch" commences right after "My brother's at this time you will choose either a red or white flower...someday you will find that flower I know not where...etc." Upon completion of those lines the orator then goes into [at his own discretion of timing] "She never closed her eyes in sleep...etc." Our orator makes a circut of the room while doing the "MW" , and the lights are gradually dimmed. It all concludes with the orator finishing at the altar, the room dark, and him kneeling as he says "...and then she went to sleep.." at which point the altar light goes out, and he walks quietly back to his seat. Once at his seat he reciets one more line, before the ceremony is over.

The origin of our "Mother's Tribute" is legacy, and is rumored to of been given to us many, many years ago from an old/ folded chapter in Mass. Which chapter and when I do not know. Where they got it from is not known, all we are told is we got it from them. If anyone would like to know more about the Wantagh Chapter "Mother's Tribute" feel free to contact me [wkitchel@verizon.net].

Yes, I do agree NJ DeMolay is good, but not the best :-). Although, when I was there for the region II confrence in Lincoln Park, NJ a few years back, the hospitality was outstanding, and NJ DeMolay, I will have to adimt does know how to throw a PARTY!!!

Hope to hear from everyone soon. Take care.

Well, NY DeMolay rocks as well! I love visiting you guys and bringing my nickle deposit cans with me.

Anyhow, your version sounds incredibly powerful! Could you email some of the info about it to finrods_ring@yahoo.com? Maybe we could try to put something like that together at this year's Keyman Conference.

-Andrew Strucek
NJ DeMolay

Andrew,

I can send you some info, but the question is what do you mean by information. The really si not much more information to tell about it then I already have. The next best thing is to give you a copy of our "Mother's Tribute" which I am very reluctant to do, as to my knowledege our MT is unique in the sense we are the only that do this version. If I was to send it to you, and you do something like at it at Key-Man; what is to stop you from distributing the "Wantagh Chapter Mother's Tribute" throughtout the Region?

I just do not wish to take the chance of our MT that is a part of our chapter being taken and performed by others. I hope you can understand my reasons. But nonetheless "more information about it" seems very vague to me. Maybe email me with some specific questions and I may be able to help you out.

my email[s]:

wkitchel@verizon.net or worldhunger1986@yahoo.com

Thank you and take care

Bro. Pat Leon is a Past Master Councilor of Frank S. Land Chapter in South Portland, Maine. The version of the Mother's watch that is posted here has been in use for as long as I can remember here in the State of Maine and even before I was a DeMolay. November of this year market 20 years as a member. I am sure that many differnt versions of the mothers watch exist and I think it is great that people are sharing. If I can remember all the words, I will post the Father's Talk that is used here in Maine and had been since the very late 1980's.

REMEMBERING OLD MEMORIES ABOUT OUR MOTHERS, WILL MAKE US CRY.

we should be ever indebted to our parents for bringing us in this world.

"it's alive!", Frankenstein

THERE ARE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND ALSO DELINQUENT PARENTS.