If I may.. I would like to offer this poem in Memorandum of Joanne, Dragon Mistress, and how she will be missed, and the grief.. I'm sure.. we all feel:

Life goes on (by Tara)

The rain will fall the snow will sparkle,
the tree's will blow and the birds will sing, children will dance flowers will grow,
music will ring and tears will flow,
ice will melt and memories felt.
Yesterday i was there, today i am not.
The angels called upon me and led me far away.
Tears will fall, hearts will break.
but i am still there in your heart.
I can still be felt.
close your eyes can you see me standing there? remember life goes on.
one day we will meet but until then enjoy what you have got.
If you ever need me just close your eyes and i will be there,
open your eyes and i will be gone,
now live your life and move on.
Remember i am only sleeping.
i will never be too far.
i will be that star shining down on you,
can you see it?
tonight i say goodbye,
tonight i shed my last tear,
i have to leave the angels are near.
Fall with the rain,
sparkle with the snow,
blow with the tree's
and sing with the birds,
dance with the children
and ring with the music,
enjoy yourself and be happy,
smile and cry sing and dance,
laugh and be sad.
share moments and express feelings.
stengthen and weaken.
love and smile.
you are still young, your life is yours.
forever will i miss you.
but now I've been laid to rest.
the angel came i got my wings.
i can fly, and i can sore
i can reach where I've never been before.

close your eyes see I'm still standing there.

Very nice, YeOlde... Since you've taken the lead, here, and posted that lovely piece, I'd like to offer up one that has also helped me through more than one loss.

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep (Mary E. Frye)

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

Following Ye Old and Eol, I would like to add my own passage in simple memory of our passed friend. To you DM, you shall be missed!

657 (Emily Dickinson)

I dwell in Possibility -
A fairer House than Prose -
More numerous of Windows
Superior - for Doors -

Of Chambers as the Cedars -
Impregnable of Eye -
And for and Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the SKy -

Of Visitors - the fairest -
For Occupation - this -
The spreading wide my narrow Hands -
To gather Paradise -

Joanne, Dragon Mistress, DM... However you call her, her presence was felt among those that frequented this site. And with her passing into the arms of the earth, her presence will be missed. I am terribly sorry to hear about your loss, as - even though I did not know her personally - I feel as though she was a great friend of mine.

So, as a tribute, I would like to offer this: a song that we sang in our high school choir for a rememberance day celebration... I believe it fits.

Remember Me: Christiana Georgina Rosetti
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Though the physical has met its maker, the spirit lives on in us.