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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surround me Wisdom of loved ones Permeate my thoughts Filled With clear vision, handed down to me From my ancestors Unpublished 2014

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Virginia Gelok

Date: 1/20/2022 6:03:00 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.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 1/21/2022 7:54:00 AM

Thanks Virginia! And welcome to the soup!

Susan Szoke

Date: 1/7/2022 10:31:00 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!

James Marshall Goff
Date: 1/7/2022 11:53:00 AM

I remember writing this with Caroline, Susan, I miss her, thanks for your enjoyable comment!

Valsa George

Date: 11/27/2021 8:30:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/28/2021 7:57:00 PM

I will, thank you Valsa...

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 11/15/2021 12:05:00 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.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/27/2021 3:49:00 PM

I agree Kim, thanks!

Judy Ball

Date: 11/9/2021 3:11:00 PM

A fine write and a beautiful keepsake of the friend we have all lost and miss greatly. God Bless my friend, JB

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/9/2021 5:51:00 PM

Thank you Judy...

Priya Shaw

Date: 11/7/2021 11:43:00 PM

This poem is wow!! Very well expressed James.... Wonderfully written....time heals all wounds

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/8/2021 5:58:00 AM

Thanks so much Priya!

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/5/2021 1:17:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/5/2021 9:32:00 PM

Thank you Belle...

James Peranteau

Date: 11/4/2021 6:57:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/4/2021 9:41:00 AM

Thanks for stopping by James!

Susan Lawrence

Date: 11/3/2021 3:01:00 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 :)

James Marshall Goff
Date: 11/3/2021 6:51:00 PM

Thanks Susan...

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 10/25/2021 10:22:00 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!

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/27/2021 4:12:00 AM

Thank you Evelyn...

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 10/25/2021 5:12:00 PM

Wonderful words. God bless you friend. Love, Gina

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/27/2021 4:13:00 AM

Thanks Gina...

Judy Ball

Date: 10/25/2021 11:19:00 AM

A wonderfully written and well expressed piece by you and Carolyn. Well done. Love it. God Bless, JB

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/25/2021 3:51:00 PM

Thanks Judy...

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/20/2021 8:27:00 PM

I'm late here, James, But so glad to have read this gem.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/21/2021 4:51:00 PM

Thanks Harry!

Debra L Brown

Date: 10/20/2021 4:07:00 PM

Very Powerful Poem, raw emotion. Thank for Sharing - Debbie,

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/21/2021 4:51:00 PM

Thank you Debra!

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/19/2021 7:04:00 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 :)

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/19/2021 6:34:00 PM

Thank you Heidi!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/19/2021 3:13:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/19/2021 6:34:00 PM

Thanks Sara!

Don Groves

Date: 10/17/2021 5:31:00 PM

I love this poem. It touches me in ways I hadn't imagined.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/17/2021 6:37:00 PM

Yes Don, I understand, each re-reading does the same to me...

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/16/2021 4:01:00 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.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/17/2021 6:35:00 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...

James Peranteau

Date: 10/16/2021 5:13:00 AM

i'm fix'n to read that other write uv yours dear poet.......

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/17/2021 6:32:00 PM

Thank you James!

Joe Dimino

Date: 10/15/2021 4:26:00 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!

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/15/2021 1:09:00 PM

Thanks Joe!

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 10/14/2021 5:06:00 PM

Warm memories are all you can hold on to......beautiful piece! Blessings, Paulette

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/14/2021 9:28:00 PM

And Blessings to you Paulette, you are right, moments that transcend time, with immense gratitude...

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/14/2021 5:20:00 AM

It is hard when one loses a dear friend.

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/14/2021 12:22:00 PM

So true, thank you Victor...

Sally Eslinger

Date: 10/12/2021 2:38:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/12/2021 9:42:00 PM

I answer to Jim, yes! Sally...your story resonates...

Judy Ball

Date: 10/11/2021 3:52:00 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

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/11/2021 3:56:00 PM

Thanks so much Judy!

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/10/2021 6:05:00 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 :)

James Marshall Goff
Date: 10/10/2021 6:29:00 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!