Day 34: "Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep"

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

By Mary Elizabeth Frye

D

o not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

T

he poem was written originally with no known author. Mary Elizabeth Frye claimed its authorship when she found out in 1983 that it was being wrongly cited. She handed out photocopies of the poem bearing her name. A research done by Abigail Van Buren in 1998 confirmed Frye's claim. Originally composed on a brown paper shopping bag, the author's inspiration came from the story of a young Jewish girl, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who had been staying with the Frye household.

The persona or speaker of the poem who has already died speaks as if she is still among the living. The persona reminds the readers that her presence is not really gone. She is alive in every natural being created by God. On day thirty-four—the last day of the Season of Creation—let us listen to this poem by putting Sister Earth, our mother, as the poem's persona. 8thWorker.us