James Marshall Goff | + Follow Poet |
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Daylight of Darkness

Stepping over the threshold
Locating the floor buttons
I press the 3rd floor

~ my brain images still flashing ~

Disfigured long flames curl around
Cherished memories-

Dry spruce branches smoking and crackling
Glowing coals cooking steaks in a fire
Above the crashing waves on the North Shore
Of Lake Superior with mom and dad
Laughing and sipping root beer

Spying a twisted piece of petrified oak
 most likely a plank 
From an ancient sunken vessel splintered
 In the Gale's of November

Loosening the piece from the grips of glistening 
Basalt boulders, etching our names and place
Of discovery above striated agates embedded in 
Crevices a millennial ago

Proudly displayed on the mantle above my fireplace

Gone 
Now

Only precious memories remain

I flash the card lock on my hotel room

Entering
The
Future

2/18/23

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Christina Bowring Date: 9/13/2023 2:58:00 AM This is a very clever, well written poem James. Wonderful poetic lines,’ Disfigured long flames curl around cherished memories’.Memories are the greatest gift. This is a very poignant write James filled with emotion. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you. Login to Reply

Tom Woody Date: 9/11/2023 5:59:00 PM This is quite emotional Jimbo. You should start writing again. Seriously Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 9/2/2023 2:59:00 AM Everyday we enter the future which is sometimes very scary, but with the great memories of the past like which I have just read I believe you are prepare to go forward. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 9/2/2023 3:50:00 AM Thanks Sara!

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 8/14/2023 2:50:00 PM praying you are having a beautiful day :) Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 9/2/2023 3:50:00 AM Thanks Vie!

Lorraine Ferns Date: 7/13/2023 12:27:00 PM "I flash the card lock on my hotel room". Like the imagery of the sterile, and unattached space you are entering compared to the place of your memories and attachment. Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 7/13/2023 2:34:00 PM Cool contrast noted, Lorraine, thanks!

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl Date: 7/8/2023 11:37:00 PM Hi Jimbo, love this. xx Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 7/9/2023 5:08:00 AM Thanks for stopping by Mandy! so much fun to hear from you!

Timothy Ray Date: 7/6/2023 9:14:00 AM absolutely adore the transversing of time within here and the play of memory....what we hold deepest speaks loudly of who we are...and how they transition our daily life...a great one indeed....thanks for sharing Login to Reply

Paul Callus Date: 6/21/2023 1:41:00 AM I truly enjoyed the memories, but most of all the transition from what has been into what lies ahead. Wishing you all the very best of luck, James! // paul Login to Reply

Ravindra K Kapoor Date: 6/6/2023 11:26:00 PM Thanks df for your visit on my recently poem? I enjoyed the beautiful memories you have shared in this sweet little poem? Blessed are those who can recall these beautiful moments from the depths of their yesterday to make it a poem ? With best wishes always ( Subhkaamnaaen) Ravindra Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 6/7/2023 1:05:00 AM Thanks Ravindra!

Valsa George Date: 5/17/2023 8:30:00 AM Strikingly poignant ! The memory of the flames that swallowed your house seems to haunt you ever after. "Gone now.... only precious memoories remain". It leaves a twitchy feeling in me. First rate poetry dear James. Happy to have read your poem after a long gap. Login to Reply

I Am Anaya Date: 5/17/2023 7:41:00 AM Compelling! I can feel the flames and smell the coals, such imagery. I am sorry about your loss, devastating. I've spent time in Michigan, the upper peninsula, the hand or Home to remember the Great Lakes! James your poetry touched me. Be safe~Anaya Login to Reply

Ann Peck Date: 5/4/2023 11:25:00 AM Oh, that's so nostalgic, sad, and lovely, James! Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 5/4/2023 7:24:00 PM All true Ann, yes, with all modesty, I think it's a cool poem the way it leaps in time! Thanks!

Sara Kendrick Date: 4/18/2023 2:26:00 PM That is all we have is the future because we can't go back. I enjoyed reading your lines. Thanks for sharing. Sara Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/30/2023 5:45:00 AM Always fun to see you stop by Sara!

Susan Lawrence Date: 4/10/2023 5:55:00 AM What an intimate memory magically brought to life dear James . I smelled the crackling and smoking spruce and the steaks . I sensed the cold air and marveled in your discovery of the plank from an ancient vessel . So rich in details . Blessings, Susan :) Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/30/2023 5:45:00 AM Nice to see you Susan! Thanks!

Anil Deo Date: 4/1/2023 6:24:00 AM O my dearest brother in Jesus Christ. I had no idea .... You have memories, yes, and courage & a smiling heart because of JESUS. I don't know what to say, or WHY YOU. But with your testimony just 5-6 months later ( waiting in the hotel) , God is exalted by your TRUST, faith PTL Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 11:18:00 AM Honored by your visit brother Anil, yes, PTL!

Phyllis Babcock Date: 3/31/2023 11:24:00 AM You captured the moments in your poem. I hope you are now in your new condo and settled in. love phyl Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 4:26:00 AM Hi Phyl, thanks! no, not yet in condo...been in hotel since Nov 12.... adjusters nearing agreement, wow...Happy Easter to you! coloring eggs tonight with mom (93) my gal and her granddaughter, making spinach asparagus quiche! Love, james

Timothy Ray Date: 3/30/2023 6:42:00 PM this is the heartbeat of wordsmithing and be proud of the wonderful capture...loved it Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 4:27:00 AM Enjoyed your compliment Timothy, means a lot!

James Peranteau Date: 3/29/2023 8:32:00 AM Az for me dear poet, you touched the sensitive uv me. I love that this write iz uv you with your mom and pop enjoying the beautiful day on the lake, such the memory...i share this in like with my family! i enjoyed this memory! have a wonderful Spring sir....much love, james Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 4:27:00 AM You're a beautiful soul my longtime friend...peace be upon you...

Clifford Villalon Date: 3/22/2023 9:30:00 PM Strength to you Sir James! Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 4:28:00 AM Thanks Clifford!

Joe Maverick Date: 3/18/2023 12:16:00 AM Hi Jimbo, in answer to your soup mail Yes you did get back to me gentleman, That you are.' I hope you have something More for us to read soon.? Be well.' Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 4/1/2023 4:31:00 AM Thanks Joe! Haven't been moved to ink lately, no control over my writing, no worries, if my soul seeks air, it will arise, Happy Easter!

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/15/2023 3:43:00 PM Great emotion mixed with fantastic imagery. What a poem! Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 3/15/2023 5:00:00 PM Thanks Andrea, I wanted to document my travails during this ground-shaking moment in my journey....whether my poetry will survive, doubtful! as I lost most of my unpublished work in my condo fire...

Harry Horsman Date: 3/14/2023 5:16:00 PM 'Only precious memories remain' This is super James, and wonderful poetry of yours to go with those memories.. Harry Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 3/14/2023 5:26:00 PM Nice to see you Harry!

Janice Canerdy Date: 3/14/2023 4:18:00 PM Very descriptive, expressive, reflective piece, James. Janice Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 3/14/2023 5:26:00 PM Thanks Janice!

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 3/13/2023 11:11:00 PM Praying your well my friend :) Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 3/14/2023 12:52:00 AM Thanks Vie!

Panagiota Romios Date: 3/9/2023 7:59:00 PM WOWSER of a Poem from start to finish. I envy how your mind works. You intertwined emotion, imagery, past and present, making this a fave, thanks for sharing. I was brought up in Chicago, lots of time in Lake Michigan, and at the chain of lakes in Wisconsin. This should be a POTD..Pangir Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 3/14/2023 12:52:00 AM Thanks Pangie!

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