Do not stand at my grave and weep

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 glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

~ Mary E. Frye ~

The next room

Death is nothing at all...
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

* * *

Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.


~ Henry Scott Holland, theologian (1847-1918) ~

The pain

Matias was wondering back and worth the hallways of the castle crying aloud: He has always been here! And now he's gone!

And Loviisa said: Matias, you must understand that we can't exist forever. We are born and we will die, that's the way it has always been, why do you complain?

But he's not here for me! Matias yelled. It's like someone's crabbing my heart away from me!

Do you want me to hold you close for a moment? asked Loviisa.

Hold me, hold me! shouted Matias. And you too Ronja!!

And Matias sat very close to Loviisa and very close to Ronja, holding them tight and wept for Kalju-Pete, who had always been in his life but wasn't there anymore.


~ from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter" by Astrid Lindgren ~