Leia

I think it's true enough to say

a piece of you's been gone

since the day you watched in horror

as beloved Alderaan 

became naught but dust

and drifted into that galaxy

so far, far away.

But in a spirit true to 

your Jedi blood,

you refused to fall.

Tall you stood,

defiant and proud,

with a determination fierce

and a voice strong and loud.

With a Force you didn't yet 

know you possessed, 

you willfully faced each test

and prevailed.

With a heart heavy with grief,

you rallied a group of rogues

and gave them all a brand new hope

that good could overcome.

A scruffy-looking Nerf-herder

stole away your heart

while time and truth revealed

your family'd been torn apart

by a darkness

bred by fear, anger, and hate. 

So your twin faced your sire,

and together they overthrew

the Empire

and restored a galactic peace.

But peace came with a price;

and though your brother had been right

about the good that flowed

in Vader's veins,

the darkness claimed his life.

Set to soldier on

you wed beloved Han

and set about to live.

But peace never seems to last

and darkness never gives up its quest

to drive away every last shaft of light.

The Force is your family is strong--

that much always was true--

but the Dark Side has a way

of seducing, excusing, 

loosing the demons within.

Another piece was chipped away

when your son became a Ren,

and a few more drifted into space

when your brother gave up and in.

But it's my belief we lost you

when your Solo helped young Solo

do the one thing

he thought he couldn't do.

It's hard to go on living 

when the ones you love are gone;

too often shattered hearts

are more potent

than the Force is strong.

And so you've left that galaxy

we love so far away

and journeyed farther still

into the grand beyond,

with all the other greats

the Force has sought to claim.

Strangers to your eyes,

they'll recognize you still:

the Jedi,

who each in turn

gave their all so you could stay.

Greet them with respect.

Accept their warm embrace.

Return to your lover's arms

and worry not--

the Force is strong in our family

and so through our grief we shall endure.

We too shall soldier on,

set to face our trials and our woes.

And when the air brings forth a whispered 

yet emphatic, "I love you,"

we'll hop aboard the Falcon

with a sure and swift reply: 

We know.

#RIPCarrieFisher #starwars #PrincessLeia #TheForceWillBeWithYou