Memorial Day

breeze, France,

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye


Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905 – 2004) was an American housewife and florist, best known as the author of the poem “Do not stand at my grave and weep,” written in 1932.  She was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was orphaned at the age of three. The poem for which she became famous was originally composed on a brown paper shopping bag, and was reportedly inspired by the story of a young Jewish girl, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who had been staying with the Frye household and had been unable to visit her dying mother in Germany because of anti-Semitic unrest.


Credits: Photography – thefujifreak. Poem – Decorated Skin

Comments

  1. I can read poems like this now that is is years since Matt is home from Iraq. But it has taken a very long time. Would that each of these veterans were whispering on the wind..

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  2. What a stirring poem! It just swishes your feelings as in a spin dryer and even more so after you know what inspired it…

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  3. a beautiful and powerful classic.

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  4. Well, I’ve heard it hundreds, if not thousands of times…..but never knew the origin. Thanks for teaching this old undertaker something new…..

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  5. Reblogged this on Hadel.

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  6. Finer Things in Life says:

    Reblogged this on Lavender Reflections and commented:
    Memorial Day

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  7. Reblogged this on Radiating Blossom ~ Flowers & Words.

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  8. todessakane2013 says:

    Still one of the single most beautiful poems I have ever read. The pictures it conjure’s up in both the heart and mind linger and bring hope to the soul 🙂

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  9. This poem features in my novel, as one of my characters knows it off by heart.

    One of the choirs I belong to sometimes sing a setting of this on Remembrance Sunday in November. Here is a recording of Katharine Jenkins singing the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv9bAma0ft8

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  10. I love this poem. Reminds me of my mother. She’s not in her grave. She’s with me in my heart.

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  11. Beautiful words, read before and remembered with new perspectives this morning. Thanks for posting.

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  12. Mom mother wrote this on a piece of paper, gave it to me, and told me to read this when she died. I did.

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  13. So lovely to read again. Thank you.

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  14. michael zahaby says:

    Powerful, touching a propos. wonderful

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  15. Reblogged this on Melody Music Studios.

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  16. I especially enjoyed the bio info. I have seen this poem hundreds of times as a funeral director…glad I learned about the person who penned the popular piece. Thank you.

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