IView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.IA messenger, demeanour meek, He knocks, exhausted from his run. I smile at him for all he's done For Dash and me these past few weeks. A messenger, from distant sands, Had brought me Dash's thoughts and words; He bridged me with my blue love-bird Through missives, from the Gryphon-lands; A messenger, who, dress'd in red, Does greet me in the early morn'; In grief I instantly am torn: He bears the message, "DASH IS DEAD"
IIView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.IIOld oak in which I used to live, A gnarled, old, but simple thing, To ashes quickly flames did bring -- Lord Tirek I can ne'er forgive. I walk along the empty road Whereon my former home did lie. I see the charr'd remains and sigh, Rememb'ring hearth and home of old; And as my life around me burns Again, I've not a solace blue, No featherbrain, no cockatoo, No one to hold me as I yearn Or claim this is a dream absurd, No one to comfort all my fears, No one to whisper in my ears, "This too shall pass; be reassur'd."
IIIView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.IIIA Field Experiment on Grief I) Motivation: Rainbow Dash, A pegasus mare, bold and brash, Has left this world; her life was brief. Now I am left with this strange mood I've never had; so here shall I Observe and note my feelings; try And figure out what had ensued. II) Methods: For the past few days I've noted down my troubled thoughts, The feelings Dash's death had wrought Into a strange miasmic haze. Then, synthesizing all these things, I'd analyze and then conclude Exactly what from me elude; Besides a pair of downy wings. III) Observations: I can't seem To put down into words the way I feel today, or yesterday, Nor days to come, I dare to deem. I levitate the quill, and dip The apparatus into ink But all I write, and all I think, Are poems, and the arrow-tip. So, therefore, I shall deem this ill- Thought study inconclusive; I, Shall on this matter ne'ermore try To study; I have not the skill.
IVView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.IV'Tis late at night, or early morn; I'd slept tonight - the first in days, When, in my catatonic haze, An image from my mind was born: She lives! A zombie, hollow-eyed, Dull face, matte coat, mane like a nest. She tears the arrow through her chest; Internal organs flow outside. She turns to me with trademark smile; Says, "Come and join me, Egghead!" Then She laughs, turns back, walks into fen, Therein dissolves in substance vile -- And with a jolt I then return'd To consciousness. I guess I'll stay Awake tonight, or sleep at day, 'Til my mind clears its image burn'd.
VView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.VInept and inexact are words, Which, all throughout my life have been My servant, I their master, when I needed something to be heard Or written. I have come to see That flaky are these treasured things. See, hollow sound around me rings: Though I speak words to them; they, me; I cannot process sounds, extract Their meaning, speak, or comprehend. Alas, my former stalwart friend Has broken down our precious pact. Through words my world was torn apart, However; yea, through words was I Inform'd my Rainbow Dash did die: O pow'rful, terr'ble, wretched art! At last, words can be wolves in sheep's Skin; power, surely they possess. Sometimes they help; sometimes, distress: For now, words fail me, and I weep.
VIView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.VII understand, my mentor dear, That you cannot bring Dashie back; That doing so'd to space-time wrack An instability, we fear. Oh you, who governs hill and lea, Control the Sun, yet cannot fend Off death, except the aether rend -- You too must share your grief with me. That I am join'd by friend and Lord In grief does not alleviate My suff'ring; nor do they abate, The laments I to her afford.
VIIView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.VIIIn 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.
VIIIView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.VIIIMy mind puts forth a memory Of when I did propose to Dash. 'Twas mid-flight -- oh! I thought I'd crash! -- My wings turned stiff as emery! 'Twas in the dale where I now fly, A shortcut straight to Canterlot. Two stones from Rarity I'd bought Were in my bags, hid from her eye. "Oh, Rainbow Dash!" I call'd, and swoop'd Ahead of her, look'd in her eyes. I pluck'd a primary of size; Behind her ear I placed it; loop'd Below her. From my bag I took A sapphire and an amethyst. Her answer, I already wist, But still, my voice and body shook. "Dash, will you marry me?" I asked. Time seem'd to, for a moment, stop. I fear'd that from the sky I'd drop. I couldn't keep emotions mask'd. As answer, she a gentle kiss Placed on my lips, and whisper'd soft, "Of course I will. Now fly aloft, And faster -- you'll your function miss!" Of course I'd planned some extra time, But full of energy was I: I climb'd and soar'd with Dash up high, And cared not on my feather rime Was forming. Straight aloft I flew, At fifty, forty centibars. We flew toward the fixèd stars; We reach'd them, then enjoy'd the view. Today, the sky is thick with clouds; I cannot soar up high like then. I fly through field and vale and fen To Canterlot, where clouds do shroud The landscape. On a ledge I land. I trot to where Celestia Would meet me to discuss ideas To end the war with Gryphons, and Have high tea at my fav'rite place, Where I took Dash to many dates -- I'd ramble on about the greats Of hist'ry over leeks and dace. I canter past a busy bar Where Dash and I would often go To drink 'til we'd forget our woes: That she and I were kept afar When oft I stayed in Canterlot To serve my duty to the land, 'Cause sometimes Cloudsdale would demand Dash take the place that they'd allot. Now, I approach our meeting-place. Oh, what I wouldn't give for Dash To be with me, just for a flash, That I could kiss her graceful face.
PrologueView OnlineIn Memoriam R.D.PrologueDear Princess of the Sun and seas, Who kindly guided me throughout My youth; who told me all about The world and all its mysteries: Today I learn'd beloved Dash, A spectral wonder of the skies, A mare who's easy on the eyes A loyal friend; at times, though rash-- She always cared, she never fled, She comforted in times of doubt, She always loved, she did not flout -- today I learn'd that she is dead. I sit now in my study-place With Spike and Owl' by my side; I wish to curl up, sleep, and hide-- Instead, I write you, by your grace: Dear Princess of the Sun and earth, Whose reign does span all mortal planes: Will you please guide me through my pain, Be ever present by my hearth By reading, sharing misery, The endless drivel I will pen. I do not know where to begin Except by writing poetry.