Stand not at my grave and weep

...A tribute to Mary Elizabeth Frye's beautiful poem 'Do not stand at my grave and weep'...(This was so much my Mother)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographer: Bùi Linh Ngân.   This image has been modified from the original. The original image can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/linhngan/2580325511/. This image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

 

Stand not at my grave and cry

…An adaptation of a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye

(“Do not stand at my grave and weep”)

Oh, stand not at my grave and weep.

I am not there.  I do not sleep!

 

I am the thousand winds that blow.

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

And live in fields of ripening grain.

I am the calm of morning’s hush,

And I’m the oh so graceful rush

Of lofting birds in rapt’ous flight.

I am the shining stars at night.

 

I am the flower in fragrant bloom,

And I’m the glorious sun at noon.

I am the birds that joyous sing.

Yes, I’m in every lovely thing.

 

So, stand not at my grave and cry �"

I am not there.  I did not die.

 

 

©2010 Richard Puetter

All rights reserved

 

 

 

Notes:

 

Dear Reader,

 

                My poem is meant as a tribute to the beautiful poem of Mary Elizabeth Frye.  There are several versions of her poem (see Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_stand_at_my_grave_and_weep), but the most recent and confirmed version is given below.  I have adapted the poem with my personal preferences of word choice and meter and have used this at my mother’s “Celebration of Life” service in August of 2009.  Recently the mother of a good friend died and I was asked for a copy.  This made me think that others might enjoy and find comfort from either my version or one of Ms. Frye’s versions.  So I felt compelled to make this posting.

 

Best regards to all,

 

Rick

 

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 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.

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Dear Rick!

It is wonderful to see your version of this memorable poem!

Grief may invade every second of consciousness for a spirit heavy with feelings of hopelessness and loss, but in words as you have written, we may come to realize
that even grief may provide solitude and comfort if we allow our spirit to embrace the............

softly falling snow, the gentle showers of rain,

and

hear the birds singing, be a part of each lovely thing as we relate loss to those parts of life to happiness rather than sorrow which some consider an accepted emotion accompanying death!

Your adaptation is exquisite, and certainly has the power to provide to this reader who is an "old friend" to death and the pain that may accompany it, a feeling of lasting comfort!

You, Rick, have surely made Mary Elizabeth Frye smile as you have honored her gift of comfort to many! And, in beautiful form!

Best Regards,

Sheila

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

It's always dangerous to g down this path, however you have executed your duty well. a most valuable trust to the author and a balanced scheme, well written, bravo.

[Jasmine]

This is brilliant - very moving and, whilst universal, personal. the imagery is lovely, too. great work.

[Ladysue]

A beautiful piece with a lovely warming flow...good work...

[emmajoy]

The original poem has been read on so many of our would be sad family times .. it's been like a comfort blanket, a reminder that only the body rests, not the spirit

Your words are as similar as an intake of breath, serene and beautiful.

[Wondering Mind]

Beautifully done. The flow of this is amazing

[:)]

I'm growing more and more fonder of poem's filled with optimism.
I think my heart just glowed a little...
Thanks