Apr 28th, 2020

Author: donich_admin

Remembrance day

There is a famous poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye which goes like this.

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 sun 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 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.

I wrote a new version which I think is more realistic.

Stand here at my grave and weep
For I am dead, not just asleep
A thousand winds may come and blow
But their direction I’ll not know
The sun upon the grass may shine
No more I’ll see it any time.
The rain upon the ground may pour
The birds may circle round the shore
No doubt the stars may shine at night
No doubt the snow reflects the light
But stand here at my grave and cry
For I lie here and I did die

It is a year today since Schrodi died. Almost every day I have gone out into his garden of remembrance to say hello to him.

Today I am finally letting go as I think people have to and you can’t keep on forever in a state of grief. I won’t forget Schrodi ever as he was the kindest and sweetest cat in the world and a truly great and faithful friend to me and R for 16 years but I will try not to mourn for him any more. I won’t ever have another cat after Tora is gone though as the loss of them is too much for me.