Journal Writing #1: My Favorite Writing

"Do not stand at my grave and weep"


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 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 did not die.

-Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)


When I first heard this poem it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Death is rarely an easy topic to discuss with anyone, especially when it involves your loved ones. The very idea of my family or friends passing away makes my palms sweat. This poem provides a positive outlook on death and how no one is ever truly "gone".

It is comforting to believe that although a person may have passed away, you can still feel their presence all around you. I like this poem because it assures us that we continue to exist beyond our time here on earth. It is soothing to imagine myself as the wind, the rain, or any aspect of the world I will always be a part of. Death is no longer seen as a dark and frightening end to our journey, but more as a bridge to our next experience.

This poem is an example of good writing because it is able to reach a large audience on a deep level. This poem will have different meanings to different people, but can serve as a common link between us all. The rhythm of the poem also adds a lighter musical quality to an otherwise depressing occurrence. Being able to affect the reader on an emotional level and leave a lasting impression is a quality of this poem that exemplifies good writing.