Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday (formerly known as Decoration Day) which is observed on the last Monday in May. This day commemorates U.S. men and women who have died serving our country as well as fallen police and firefighters.
You and your family can observe the day by visiting and leaving flowers on the graves of those who have fought for our safety and freedom; fly your American Flag at half-staff until noon; and by pausing at 3 p.m. (National Moment of Remembrance) to remember what this day means to us.
This is one of my favorite poems. Written by Mary Frye, the many variations and disputed origins have occurred mainly because the poem was never formally published or copyrighted. The poem’s interpretation, reproduction, distribution and popularity were therefore able to grow organically, outside of usual publisher controls. ‘Do not Stand at My Grave and Weep’ evolved more like folklore or legend – passed from person to person – initially on scraps of paper, hand-written notes, and photocopies – and more recently the poem has spread far and wide by the ease and viral nature of internet publishing.
Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep
Mary Frye (1932)
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 in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
