The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

Butterscotch Moon

For Carolyn


By Carolyn Devonshire & James Marshall Goff


My hand
Wet with tears pouring down my face
Reaches out and finds nothing
Empty spaces where familiar voices
Once comforted me
My only hope
Is sleep, where dreams, in sketchy
Re-wind, promise a glimpse of lost
Loved ones, maybe a voice, if fleeting
Even, to soothe me
Those still with me
Look to me for strength, my motor
Memory urging me on, focusing
On the well, deep in my heart,
Cycle renews
Another beloved soul passes
Light they find
But darkness they leave behind
Grief
Hungry monster
Selfishly consumes my life
Devours all glimmers of hope
Leaving me
Destitute on a perilous plane
Mere existence
Not life as it once was
Sanity
Confronting memories, loneliness
Trek on an unbalanced bridge
Connecting life and death
Emotions purged
Shadows of yesterday surround me
Wisdom of loved ones
Permeate my thoughts
Filled
With clear vision, handed down to me
From my ancestors


Unpublished
2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Gelok Avatar
January 20, 2022 at 6:03 PM
I am sorry I never got to know Caroline since I am fairly new to PS but I am so very glad you commented on my poem which in turn brought me here to this poem. I totally felt every word and wanted to learn more about the different styles of poetry out there. I love the flow of your verses. I am sorry for the loss of your friend but happy I have read (both) your words.
Goff Avatar
January 21, 2022 at 7:54 AM
Thanks Virginia! And welcome to the soup!
Szoke Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 10:31 AM
Very profound thoughts are expressed here...in a highly poetic and astute manner. Standout lines for me: 'Another beloved soul passes Light they find But darkness they leave behind' and 'Selfishly consumes my life Devours all glimmers of hope Leaving me Destitute on a perilous plane Mere existence Not life as it once was'...Bravo!
Goff Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 11:53 AM
I remember writing this with Caroline, Susan, I miss her, thanks for your enjoyable comment!
George Avatar
November 27, 2021 at 8:30 PM
We are suddenly pushed down to a dark, deep pit, when we lose loved ones, especially the members of the family. It is a loss that can hardly be reckoned with. Yet with sorrows purged, we weave a glorious vision of the future. James, please remember time heals every wound
Goff Avatar
November 28, 2021 at 7:57 PM
I will, thank you Valsa...
Rodrigues Avatar
November 15, 2021 at 12:05 PM
The title alone is endearing. What a lovely poem to cherish with smiles and tears. We lose close kin and strangers too but we feel we know some of them as we converse for years in friendship.
Goff Avatar
November 27, 2021 at 3:49 PM
I agree Kim, thanks!
Ball Avatar
November 9, 2021 at 3:11 PM
A fine write and a beautiful keepsake of the friend we have all lost and miss greatly. God Bless my friend, JB
Goff Avatar
November 9, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Thank you Judy...
Shaw Avatar
November 7, 2021 at 11:43 PM
This poem is wow!! Very well expressed James.... Wonderfully written....time heals all wounds
Goff Avatar
November 8, 2021 at 5:58 AM
Thanks so much Priya!
Edmonds  Avatar
November 5, 2021 at 1:17 PM
A beautiful collaboration poem James made between yourself and Carolyn, a souvenir of your friendship. Carolyn’s truly missed on PoetrySoup and I sense your desolation at losing a dear friend. May your memories of Carolyn be of comfort to you… Blessings, Belle
Goff Avatar
November 5, 2021 at 9:32 PM
Thank you Belle...
Peranteau Avatar
November 4, 2021 at 6:57 AM
ty for sharing this expressive write dear poet...i find it imperative to say; wow! And you put as a footnote, "unpublished"...it's published now James...have a great day sir...much luv, james
Goff Avatar
November 4, 2021 at 9:41 AM
Thanks for stopping by James!
Lawrence Avatar
November 3, 2021 at 3:01 PM
My heart feels your heartbeat and tears in this collaborative poem. So raw and real and profound in its embrace of grief and loss. Beautifully expressed in tender words. All the best, Susan :)
Goff Avatar
November 3, 2021 at 6:51 PM
Thanks Susan...
Buehler Avatar
October 25, 2021 at 10:22 PM
The loss of loved ones is the hardest thing to bear. But the memories and time bring comfort. Yours and Carolyn's poem captivates with its vivid images of the emotion we all know. Beautifully written!
Goff Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 4:12 AM
Thank you Evelyn...
Mcintosh Avatar
October 25, 2021 at 5:12 PM
Wonderful words. God bless you friend. Love, Gina
Goff Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 4:13 AM
Thanks Gina...
Ball Avatar
October 25, 2021 at 11:19 AM
A wonderfully written and well expressed piece by you and Carolyn. Well done. Love it. God Bless, JB
Goff Avatar
October 25, 2021 at 3:51 PM
Thanks Judy...
Horsman Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 8:27 PM
I'm late here, James, But so glad to have read this gem.
Goff Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Thanks Harry!
Brown Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Very Powerful Poem, raw emotion. Thank for Sharing - Debbie,
Goff Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Thank you Debra!
Sands Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 7:04 AM
Wow. This is powerful and written by you and Carolyn makes it even more powerful. Well done. Thanks for sharing. I bet many can relate to lines in this . Take care :)
Goff Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 6:34 PM
Thank you Heidi!
Kendrick Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 3:13 AM
It is difficult losing close family members and sometimes even those not so close and close friends and acquaintances. I think about my parents every day in some way. Daddy died 26 years ago and mother 24. I remember the good and the bad and the ugly but memories non the less. I enjoyed reading this work. The grief part of it does get better as time goes on but we still remember. Sara
Goff Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 6:34 PM
Thanks Sara!
Groves Avatar
October 17, 2021 at 5:31 PM
I love this poem. It touches me in ways I hadn't imagined.
Goff Avatar
October 17, 2021 at 6:37 PM
Yes Don, I understand, each re-reading does the same to me...
Dietrich Avatar
October 16, 2021 at 4:01 PM
wow, James. you created this with Carolyn?? I wonder if she ever posted it. It's one of the better collaborations I have seen here. Gotta fave this.
Goff Avatar
October 17, 2021 at 6:35 PM
Don't believe she did Andrea, came across this by chance, really, and it made me remember all the time & poetry I shared with Carolyn long-distance as we both faced life...
Peranteau Avatar
October 16, 2021 at 5:13 AM
i'm fix'n to read that other write uv yours dear poet.......
Goff Avatar
October 17, 2021 at 6:32 PM
Thank you James!
DiMino Avatar
October 15, 2021 at 4:26 AM
Very thoughtful and profound poetry, linking worlds. One gets to a point in life, where there are few holiday cards to send out, and I have outlived all my doctors. -- having listened to them respectfully, but used my own instincts when it came to final analysis. There are some loved ones I miss very much...after their parting, have never felt quite fully alive again...(when stepping from the ledge of blossom, the unfettered soul soars for eternity). Splendid write, James. Outstanding!
Goff Avatar
October 15, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Thanks Joe!
Calasibetta Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Warm memories are all you can hold on to......beautiful piece! Blessings, Paulette
Goff Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 9:28 PM
And Blessings to you Paulette, you are right, moments that transcend time, with immense gratitude...
Buhagiar Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 5:20 AM
It is hard when one loses a dear friend.
Goff Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 12:22 PM
So true, thank you Victor...
Eslinger Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 2:38 PM
HiJim, hope I may call you that? Loved “Grief/selfish monster/consuming my life” powerful and true for my experience. I had a very dear poet friend commit suicide and rather than vanishing, his voice became more prevalent to me, I thought at times even haunting me with lines for poems. You had me crying Hugs
Goff Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 9:42 PM
I answer to Jim, yes! Sally...your story resonates...
Ball Avatar
October 11, 2021 at 3:52 PM
It's hard to lose a loved one. It never gets easier as one by one family members pass on. There are only two members left of my family. Me and one uncle. Of course I still have my husband and kids but it feels strange to be the last one standing. Great job here James. Good Stuff. God Bless, JB
Goff Avatar
October 11, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Thanks so much Judy!
Rose  Avatar
October 10, 2021 at 6:05 AM
Hello dear friend, I like the title Butterscotch moon, as we confront our memories, we too taste a little of sweet from the moon, nicely done Jim, getting turkey ready, gobble gobble, hope to see you soon :)
Goff Avatar
October 10, 2021 at 6:29 AM
Thanks for stopping by Vie, I was communicating often with Carolyn in those days, wanted to share this emotional collab- see you soon, say hi to Aldo for me!
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace