Poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye:
Do 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.
Poem Meaning
The poem "Do not stand at my grave and weep" is a comforting and peaceful reflection on the idea that when someone passes away, they are not really gone. The poem reassures us that the person who has passed is still present in nature and all around us.
The poem suggests that the person who has passed away is not in their grave but instead is a part of the natural world. The wind, the glints of light on snow, the sunlight on grain, and the rain in autumn are all reminders of their presence. The poem emphasizes that even though the person may no longer be physically with us, their spirit lives on in the beauty of nature.
The author explains that when we wake up in the morning or gaze at the stars at night, we can feel the presence of our loved one in the peaceful moments of nature. They are symbolized by birds flying freely and stars shining brightly in the night sky.
Ultimately, the poem conveys a message of reassurance and peace, encouraging us not to grieve at the grave of our loved one. It reminds us that they have not truly died, but are instead part of the eternal cycle of life and nature. It offers solace and a sense of connection to something beyond our earthly understanding.