Immortality Or Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

This is a beautiful poem written by Clare Harner and published in a magazine, The Gypsy, in December 1934. This poem has given me great comfort and I hope it does for you as well. There are many different versions of the poem depending on your country of origin.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to today's Read Aloud.

I'm so glad that you joined me today.

The name of the poem we will be reading today is called Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep.

I read this at both of my parents' celebrations of life after they passed,

And I always attributed it to Anonymous,

But according to Wikipedia,

This is incorrect.

Actual origins belong to Kansas native Claire Harner,

1909 to 1977,

First published Immortality in the December 1934 issue of Poetry Magazine,

The Gypsy.

It was written shortly after the sudden death of her brother.

Harner's poem quickly gained traction as a eulogy and was read at funerals in Kansas and Missouri.

It was soon reprinted in the Kansas City Times and the Kansas City Bar Bulletin,

And I think that's how it first originally came to me,

Is through a newspaper.

It came into my life when I had a college professor who had lost her son,

Her 21-year-old son,

And I remember finding this poem and thinking this could bring real relief for people that are grieving.

I remember giving it to her,

But I really remember it bringing me real relief and peace,

And I hope it brings that to you too.

Do not stand by my grave and weep.

I am not there.

I do not sleep.

I am the thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints in snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

As you awake with morning's hush,

I am the swift up flinging rush of quiet birds encircling flight.

I am the day transcending night.

Do not stand by my grave and cry.

I am not there.

I did not die.

Claire Harner,

The Gypsy,

December 1934.

Thank you for joining me today.

Namaste.

Reviews

Beautiful, very moving, thank you for sharing this ! 🩵
and for your exquisite yoga teaching, which I just discovered❣️

I’ve heard this poem before but it really strikes a chord now as I lost my Mom 2 weeks ago. And although I’m 71 yrs old and she was 96 yrs old, you’re a little girl all over again when you lose your Mom. Thank you for sharing. Peace to you. ☮️

Beautiful! Thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️ indeed this is so helpful.

Thank you so much. You are an old soul with beautiful teachings and I’m so glad I found you today. !🙏❤️🙏. And will see you again soon I hope🥰

What a beautiful poem. This was the first time that I have heard it. Thank you for sharing and for providing its background. Namaste 🙏

Wonderful poem, reminding us of our immortality. Namaste 🙏 ♥️
I have re-listened to this poem, and actually it resonates so profounly with my beliefs. I want those who knew me to rejoice and be happy, because I was back in my real life. Thank you, Rita !
Could you pls msg me the name of the poem and of the person who wrote it? Thank you, again.🙏❤️🕊☁️💙🌞

Being a long time Texas resident, now an “expat” Kansan, this poem makes me proud to be living and working in my beautiful Kansas town for the last 12 years. I have tried to die before I die and live the deathless life. It’s very uplifting and beautiful that Claire, a Kansan, practiced this sacred truth in her beautiful art. Thank you YogiGaruda!!

What an amazing poem! Thank you so very much for sharing this. 💕🙏💕🙏

I hear my brothers and my Mom in this. Thank you, fellow bereaved 🙏✨️

Thank you 💜🙏💜✨✨✨✨✨

Wow, incredible, I have tears streaming down my face now as I have a friend who is currently dying and I’m processing my feelings around that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️🌹☀️🌬️🍃

Lovely, and so helpful. Thank you for sharing it here.🙏💖🙏

Thanks for sharing this heartfelt poem. 🕊🧘🤍🕉️

Beautiful 🙏🏽I remember reading this is elementary school ❤️