St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial

We pulled up to the front gates of the St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial 30 minutes before closing. 

We were not expected. 

 (The last visitors' book entry was three weeks back).

Yet, the pristine linden avenues, 

Headstones, 

Monuments, 

Epitaphs, 

And memorial temple, 

(Whose doughboy handles and bronzed doors refused to yield),

Gave the impression that someone had been waiting,

A century just for us. 

At 17:00,

As if thanking for the visit, 

Chapel bells rang Taps and an unknown hymn, 

A farewell to travelers, 

and evening vespers for the cemetery's 4,153 residents.