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.
Summary of Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep
- Popularity of “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep”: Written by Mary Elizabeth Frye, a not-so-popular American writer and poet, “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” is a suggestive poetic piece. The poem revolves around the idea of death and the afterlife. It alludes to the idea that the soul lives on after death, and suggests that one should find comfort in their faith and belief in the afterlife. It, however, has gained popularity because of the factual description of the life cycle and more so because of its status as the only popular poem of Frye.
- “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep” As a Representative of Hope: The poem is a comforting message to the readers, encouraging them not to grieve at the speaker’s grave but find solace in the natural world and the memories she has shared. The speaker tells the readers not to stand at her grave and weep but instead go out into the world and find the beauty and peace surrounding them. She assures the reader that she is not really gone as she is present in the wind, the flowers, and the birds. The poem ends where the speaker suggests that her spirit lives on and could be found in the beauty of the world.
- Major Themes in “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep”: The afterlife, hope, comfort, and solace are the major themes of this poem. The poem speaks of the speaker’s death and the emotions that accompany it. The speaker tells the reader not to stand at her grave and weep, as she still exists in the natural world. She tries to comfort and reassure the readers, telling them that she will always be present in their memories and thoughts. Also, the poem touches upon the concept of the afterlife. It suggests that the speaker is still present and is watching over the readers even after death. Besides, the speaker attempts to comfort and reassure the readers that death is not the end and that the gone souls are still present in some way. This is how the poem suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life and that it is something that everyone must eventually face.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
literary devices are techniques used by writers to enhance the meanings or emotional impact of their writings. Mary also used some literary devices in the poem to make it appealing. The analysis of the devices used in the poem is as follows.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /e/ in “When you awaken in the morning’s hush” and the sound of /o/ in “I am the diamond glints on snow.”
- Anaphora: It refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some verses. Mary repeated the words “I am” in the first stanza of the poem to emphasize the point, such as;
“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.”
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /t/ in “I am the soft stars that shine at night” and the sound of /n/ in “When you awaken in the morning’s hush.”
- Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example;
“When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.”
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Mary used imagery in this poem, such as; “Do not stand at my grave and weep”, “When you awaken in the morning’s hush” and “I am the soft stars that shine at night.”
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects different in nature. The poet used death as an extended metaphor to show that there is life even after death. Besides, the poet also used several metaphors, using the first person that she is the glint, the wind, and even the sunlight.
- Personification: It means to use human attributes to lifeless things to show as if they have life and emotions of their own. For example, the poet shows the use of morning as having hushed or silenced.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal meanings. The poem shows symbols, such as death, sorrow, hope, and comfort, to demonstrate the reality of life.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Poetic devices are techniques used by poets to enhance the meaning, rhythm, and sound of their writing. The analysis of the poetic devices used in the poem is as follows.
- Diction: The poem shows descriptive diction having rhetorical devices, symbolism, and impressive images.
- End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the stanza melodious. Mary used end rhyme in this poem, such as; “weep/sleep”, “blow/snow” and “grain/rain.”
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows the ABAB rhyme Scheme, and this pattern continues till the end.
- Stanza: It means to use a stanza form having some number of lines. This is a single-stanza poem having twelve verses.
- Tone: It means the voice of the text. The poem shows the use of an encouraging and bold tone.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are useful to comfort someone after the death of their close friend.
“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.”
