Poetry Sunday: Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Mary Elizabeth Frye, an American housewife and florist, wrote this twelve-line poem in 1932. She was inspired to write it because of a young Jewish girl who was staying with her household at the time and was unable to visit her dying mother in Germany because of the anti-Semitic unrest there. It is a heartfelt work that, according to the story, was originally written on a brown paper bag. 

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

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.

Comments

  1. David M. Gascoigne,July 7, 2024 at 5:56 AM

    This is new to me and VERY powerful. It is especially poignant given the rise in antisemitism throughout the world, with old tropes and lies being revived. I will save this one. Thank you, Dorothy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lark@LarkWritesJuly 7, 2024 at 9:26 AM

    This is one of my most favorite poems!

    ReplyDelete
  3. thecuecardJuly 8, 2024 at 7:35 PM

    I didn't know this one -- so thanks for posting it. What an interesting history behind the poem. Very good to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sarah @ All The Book Blog Names Are TakenJuly 9, 2024 at 3:05 PM

    One of my most favorite poems.

    ReplyDelete

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