A Timeless Poem of Comfort and Remembrance
Do not stand at my grave and weep is a poem written in 1932 by Mary Elizabeth Frye. Although the origin of the poem was disputed until later in her life, Mary Frye’s authorship was confirmed in 1998 after research by Abigail Van Buren, a newspaper columnist.
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 sun 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 circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
About the Poet
Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004) was an American housewife and florist who, despite having no formal education or training in poetry, wrote this timeless poem to comfort a young Jewish girl who was unable to visit her dying mother in Nazi Germany.
The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its simple yet profound message that the essence of a person continues in the natural world even after death.
Cultural Impact
Funerals & Memorials
Frequently read at funeral services and memorial gatherings around the world
Literary Recognition
Voted Britain’s most popular poem in a 1996 poll despite its American origin
Legacy
Has been translated into many languages and set to music by various composers