A Personal Tribute to the Grand Order of the Lost Mathom on their
16th Anniversary.
(I read this poem at the kin party to mark the occasion - 15th October, 2023)
When once a-wassailing I did go,
Through frosty orchards, fields unsown,
I met a friendly hobbit maid,
Was glad that I was not alone.
I asked her questions of her kin,
She said that they were duty bound,
An ancient artifact once lost,
To ever seek ‘til it be found.
I thought no more on what she said,
And then one day came to an inn,
I dined too well, drank too much ale,
So that my head began to spin.
Drowsy now, fell fast asleep,
Perched on my stool with my head bowed,
And when I woke, to my surprise,
Gathered there a merry crowd.
Poetry, music, song, and dance,
They called to me, bid me join in,
Once more I saw that hobbit lass,
And in that crowd were all her kin.
The days that followed flew by fast,
I so enjoyed their company,
The happiest day in all my life,
Came when I was asked round to tea!
So that is how I joined this kin,
Who some think odd, or secretive,
But let me set the record straight,
Let me to you their history give.
A relic, quite beyond compare,
Was known to hobbits long ago,
Though what or where this thing may be,
No one now may surely know.
Let the Grand Order’s name be known,
Let all learn of what we speak,
For one day we will surely find
That long Lost Mathom which we seek.
Our Founder swore us to protect,
The woods and meadows of our Shire,
How well we love its streams and hills,
Pastures, mills, each farm, and byre.
We honour its traditions too,
Remember those who came before,
As Mathomers, we walk the bounds,
Intent to preserve hobbit lore.
In Songburrow’s halls, here we do hold,
Collections and exhibits rare,
Our library of scholarly tomes,
Considered by some beyond compare.
Yet think not we are dull and dry,
For poems, stories, songs, and jest,
Are ever heard when we do meet.
To dance a reel, we love the best.
Our music’s famed throughout the land,
The Badgers play so fast and loud,
And should the Strollers be in town,
You can be sure they’ll draw a crowd.
There’s one more thing that I should say,
And if I don’t, you’ll think me rude,
My kinsfolk wish to share with you,
Their greatest love, and that is food!
So please tuck in, the party’s on,
Let’s sing and dance the night away,
Mathoms Lost and Mathoms Found,
Will keep until another day!
