Of all the souls

Of all the souls that stand create,
I have elected one.
I march before eternity,
Declare my prelude done.

In woven hands we fire a jewel
To hold immune to time,
While us the fickle years transform,
This yet remains sublime.

To that bright chain through ages strung,
Forged long by church and choir,
We fix our vows, to love and cherish,
Honour and inspire.

Alice Newton-Rex

NB In a secular setting, the word ‘church’ in the final verse may be replaced by ‘bell’