When I must leave you

I found the following poem many times on the Internet. Usually without indication of the author. Then I found several names of authors. And I found various versions of the poem.

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When I must leave you for a little while,

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years,

But start out bravely with a gallant smile;

And for my sake and in my name,

Live on and do all things the same.

Feed not your loneliness on empty days,

But fill each waking hour in useful ways.

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer,

And I, in turn, will comfort you and hold you near.

And never, never be afraid to die,

For I am waiting for you in the sky.

(Author unknown or Helen Steiner Rice or Karna Franche)

*****

Another, slightly different version:

When I must leave you for a little while

Please always carry along with you a great big smile. 

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years

But start out bravely with a gallant smile

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same. 

Fed not your loneliness on empty days

But fill each waking hour in useful ways.

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near

And never, never be afraid to die

For I am waiting for you in the sky. 

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 diamonds glint on snow

I am the sunlight on ripening grain

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting breeze they call a rush

Of quiet birds in circle 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 am home in heaven, dear ones

Oh, so happy and so bright

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light. 

All the pain and grief is over

Every restless tossing passed

I am now at peace forever

Safely home in heaven at last. 

I am not dead for I'm still alive  

(Chuck Hurley)

Source

The marked part of the poem is a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye. The original can be found here, including an explanatory information.