SubscribeDo Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
I happened to chance upon this poem a while ago when I was checking my email. Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep is a poem largely considered to be written by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1904-2004), but of disputed origin. Of course the reason I am sharing this remarkable verse here is not to discuss who the original author is but to share with you the power and wisdom in the words.
It was said that Frye first wrote this poem in 1932 for a German Jewish friend, Margaret Schwarzkopf. Margaret Schwarzkopf had been worrying about her mother, who was ill in Germany. The rise of Anti-Semitism had made it unwise for her to join her mother. When her mother died, she told Mary Frye she had not had the chance to stand by her mother’s grave and weep.
Frye wrote the poem as part of her condolences. Like Frye who wrote this inspiring verse for her friend, I would like to share this remarkable verse with you and to the survivors of Myanmar’s (Burma) Cyclone and China’s Earthquake. May this poem inspires, consoles and strengthens their human spirits.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
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by nice, on May 22 2008 @ 12:24 am
i uber love the poem! it’s so moving and really touching. i posted it in my blog and made a link to this site. hope you don’t mind. have a great day
nices last blog post..
by Symphony of Love, on May 22 2008 @ 6:19 am
Nice, it’s alright
by Julie, on May 23 2008 @ 4:12 pm
beautiful poem!
by Scott Sheperd, on May 25 2008 @ 11:58 am
Thank you so much for that poem. We are so much more than we think we are in life and death.
by Symphony of Love, on May 25 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Scott, you are most welcome.
by FYI, on June 10 2008 @ 3:46 am
That is a wonderful poem!
FYIs last blog post..Those Embarrassing Body Problems (Urinary Incontinence)
by Symphony of Love, on June 11 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Indeed! I like this poem too; it gives a very empowering thought!
by Beryl, on June 25 2008 @ 4:30 pm
Thank you! I like both the English poem and the Chinese translation. Your translation is very beautiful. Have you ever learned Chines? I hope I can give you my help if you need.
by Symphony of Love, on June 25 2008 @ 5:50 pm
@ Beryl, thank you. I am glad that you like the translation of the poem. In Singapore, as Chinese, we do learn Mandarin in the school. Thank you for your offer to help. If I need help in Mandarin, you’ll be the first I will think of
by Kim, on August 19 2008 @ 11:28 am
That is a very beautiful and touching poem and it matches my thoughts exactly today due to someone I know just recently passing away.
Kims last blog post..Very depressing
by Symphony of Love, on August 20 2008 @ 4:25 pm
@ Kim, I know what you mean. I read about it in your blog. He would never be far; he would live in the heart of many.
by Ben, on February 4 2010 @ 9:40 pm
I like it! Reminds me of the song “Come Sail Away,” by the Styx. Very cool poem. I especially like the line, “I am in a quiet room,” because it takes the sting of loneliness and turns it into something positive. Your posts seem particularly solemn this month. Hope everything was alright
Ben´s last blog ..Cambodia Motorcycle Diary #3 
by Symphony of Love, on February 4 2010 @ 10:55 pm
@ Ben, at time we do need to touch on topics that are solemn. However, I do hope that people are able to find comfort and strength in this poem.