Poem of the week - Do not stand at my grave and weep - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 12-20-2003, 09:55 PM

A few years ago the BBC ran a series of radio programmes looking for the nation's favourite poem. The following verse was very popular.

A young British soldier had written this poem in a letter to his parents, only to be opened upon his death, before he left for duty in Northen Ireland. Unfortunatley the young man was killed in an IRA attack and the poem gained national coverage when transmitted in the series.

For a while it was thought the soldier had written the lines himself, but subsequent research pointed to Mary Frye (who actually wrote it in 1932).

Nevertheless, the poem itself is a beautiful message from a lost loved one to those whom he left behind.

Quote:

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 glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning 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 weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

Mr Mephisto

taliendo · 12-20-2003, 11:13 PM

that is a lovely verse. actually brought a tear to my eye.

torn lace · 12-21-2003, 12:25 PM

wow. thank you so much for posting that poem.

A very good friend of mine committed suicide on Tuesday, and everyone that knew him is devestated. I created a website in his memory, and I think i'll add that.

thank you again.

Mephisto2 · 12-21-2003, 01:14 PM

Sorry for your trouble torn lace.

Sucide is a terrible thing.

Mr Mephisto

Phaenx · 12-21-2003, 01:15 PM

Very nice, it fits nicely with my personal beliefs on death. Which is convenient because I don't have to worry about goth kids sigh'ing and being forlorn around my resting place.

MSD · 12-21-2003, 07:36 PM

This is what we had printed on mass cards for my father's funeral. Someone left it in the online memorial guestbook, and we immediately decided to have it printed.

edit: Almost forgot, the title is "The Hopi Prayer"

gwr_gwir · 12-22-2003, 10:39 PM

very nice. amazing, what some may produce.

12-20-2003, 11:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
taliendo Insane Location: an indelible crawl through the gutters	that is a lovely verse. actually brought a tear to my eye. __________________ -LIFE IS ABSURD-

12-21-2003, 12:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
torn lace Upright Location: East Village, NYC	wow. thank you so much for posting that poem. A very good friend of mine committed suicide on Tuesday, and everyone that knew him is devestated. I created a website in his memory, and I think i'll add that. thank you again. __________________ make it electric.

12-21-2003, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Very nice, it fits nicely with my personal beliefs on death. Which is convenient because I don't have to worry about goth kids sigh'ing and being forlorn around my resting place. __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

12-22-2003, 10:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
gwr_gwir Crazy	very nice. amazing, what some may produce. __________________ Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor. -- Robert Heinlein

12-21-2003, 01:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Sorry for your trouble torn lace. Sucide is a terrible thing. Mr Mephisto

12-21-2003, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	This is what we had printed on mass cards for my father's funeral. Someone left it in the online memorial guestbook, and we immediately decided to have it printed. edit: Almost forgot, the title is "The Hopi Prayer"