Before they took majestic form in rock
Cathedrals were a dream in human minds,
Conceived not just to house a Christian flock;
The powerful and vain had them designed
To glorify their power and fame in life
And be remembered fondly after death –
a ruler could be laid beside his wife
in vaults so fine they took away their breath.
The architects are often now unknown
And never saw the miracles compete
Around which urban streets and shops have grown,
Where car parks , bars and banks lie at their feet.
and still they’re here, as centuries have flown,
Imagination fashioned into stone.