I always feel reget and sadness when I hear of a death, whether in my family or a friend's family. When I lost my father, he was the first person that left me, and the first death I ever had to deal with it. Our daughter was three years old, and my father died when he was the same age I am now. The scars and hurt remain forever, for time doesn't heal the pain...it just makes it more bearable to live with it. My father requested a certain poem to be read at his wake. Unbeknownst to me, I had no idea this poet was even related to us, but he is. Now, whenever I hear such sad news, I find myself reciting this wonderful piece of writing...and I always smile.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
For 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 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,
For I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
For I am not there, I did not die.
Dylan Thomas
2 comments:
Love the poem. I agree, time doesn't heal wounds. Time only makes the heart become more resilient.
My mom had the priest read a shortened version of that poem at my great-grandma Pearl's funeral. Originally my mother was going to read it, but she got too choked up to do it. I think it really helped my grandfather deal with the death of his mother.
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