In Memoriam R.D.

In cleaning Dash's study-room,

A clutter'd mess with few real books

Within our cloud-house, in a nook,
The corner where I thought to doom

I'd fall -- I think to when I first

Was crown'd and couldn't fly, and when

I first set foot in Dashie's den
Without my spell: the clouds did burst

Beneath my hooves. 'Twas only in

The nick of time that Dash did catch

Me, save me from a fall through thatch.
I vow'd to not set foot again

On clouds without my safety spell.

Yet Dash encouraged me to fly;

She train'd my body, mind, and eye;
Her confidence, my fears, did quell.

Through patience and tough love did she

Enable confidence to seep

Into my mind; it went in deep,
Much deeper than my fears could be.

Though sometimes I her patience wore,

Through Dash I gained the confidence

To walk on clouds, fly continents,
And, fin'lly, like an eagle soar.