Do not stand at my grave and weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye 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... Do not stand at my grave and cry: I am not there; I did not die. Which literary device is used in the following excerpt? "I am a thousand winds that blow" A. Personification B. Aphorism C. Metaphor D. Alliteration A B C D D

The excerpt "I am a thousand winds that blow" primarily utilizes the literary device of a **metaphor**. **Explanation:** - **Metaphor (C):** This line metaphorically compares the speaker to "a thousand winds," suggesting that their presence transcends physical form and is part of the natural elements around us. It conveys the idea of enduring presence and connection to the environment without using "like" or "as," which distinguishes it from a simile. - **Alliteration (D):** While there is a repetition of the initial "w" sound in "winds that blow," the primary literary device at work is the metaphorical comparison rather than the sound repetition. Alliteration serves to enhance the poetic quality but isn't the main device conveying the deeper meaning. **Correct Answer:** **C. Metaphor**