Hochreiter Kepper Cemetery

....................God orchestrates the sunbeams
....................where they waltz through lofty leaves
....................to silhouette the tombstones
....................'neath this sentinel of trees.

....................Wild rose endorses fragrance
....................and songbird, the interlude;
....................squirrels query our invasion
....................of their peace and solitude.

....................Who are these who came before?
....................braved to venture, sweat and toil;
....................'stablished homes for families,
....................and put plow to virgin soil?

....................At old cemetery plots
....................(so serene in gentle breeze),
....................we record the names and dates;
....................Heirs have posted legacies.

....................Facts etched in rock and stone,
....................we research for history;
....................Those engraved in heart and soul,
....................are preserved in mystery.

....................Sunbeams fade - time to retreat
....................(leave wildlife and rose to bloom)
....................Reverently, lest we disturb
....................the inner sanctum of the tomb.

Ruthe Atkinson Werner

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