Author Unknown
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 of snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the mornings 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
By reading just the title I think the poem is going to be about someone dying. I say that because of the words eulogy and veteran. The line “do not stand at my grave and weep” means don’t visit his grave and be sad. The line “I am not there, I do not sleep” means that they aren’t there; they’re not going to show up. The line “I am a thousand winds that blow” is a metaphor which is used to give feeling to the poem meaning that he’s there for his family; that he wants his family to think about him every time they feel the wind blow. The line “I am the diamond glint of snow” is also a metaphor meaning he wants his family to think of him when they see the new, shiny snow of winter. “I am the sunlight on ripened grain” is a metaphor meaning he is warmth and golden. “I am the gentle autumn rain” is also a metaphor but it means that he’s gentle and he’s there when it’s raining. “When you awaken in the mornings hush” is a reminder to the family from the veteran. “I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight” is a metaphor telling his family to think of him when they feel that uplifting rush. “I am the soft stars that shine at night” is a metaphor reminding his family to think of him when they see the stars shining at night. “I am not there, I DID NOT DIE” means that even though he’s not on earth anymore he plans to remind his family that he loves them through the little things he’s mentioned throughout the poem. I think the attitude of this poem is loving, sad, persistent and determined to help his family move on from his death. The shifts in the poem happen in the stanza divisions. Looking back at the title, I see now that it’s not just about someone dying; it’s about the deceased helping their loved ones move on. I think the theme of this poem is even though someone has died, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “dead”; you just have to let them live through your heart.
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