James Marshall Goff Poet Narrative

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

♡Like0

Share 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

1 2

Christina Bowring September 13, 2023 at 2:58 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.

Sara Kendrick September 2, 2023 at 2:59 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 James Marshall Goff September 2, 2023 at 3:50 AM Thanks Sara!

Mystic Rose Rose August 14, 2023 at 2:50 PM praying you are having a beautiful day :) James Marshall Goff September 2, 2023 at 3:50 AM Thanks Vie!

Lorraine Ferns July 13, 2023 at 12:27 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. James Marshall Goff July 13, 2023 at 2:34 PM Cool contrast noted, Lorraine, thanks!

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

Timothy Ray July 6, 2023 at 9:14 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

Paul Callus June 21, 2023 at 1:41 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

Ravindra K Kapoor June 6, 2023 at 11:26 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 James Marshall Goff June 7, 2023 at 1:05 AM Thanks Ravindra!

Valsa George May 17, 2023 at 8:30 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.

I Am Anaya May 17, 2023 at 7:41 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

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

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

Susan Lawrence April 10, 2023 at 5:55 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 :) James Marshall Goff April 30, 2023 at 5:45 AM Nice to see you Susan! Thanks!

Anil Deo April 1, 2023 at 6:24 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 James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 11:18 AM Honored by your visit brother Anil, yes, PTL!

Phyllis Babcock March 31, 2023 at 11:24 AM You captured the moments in your poem. I hope you are now in your new condo and settled in. love phyl James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 4:26 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 March 30, 2023 at 6:42 PM this is the heartbeat of wordsmithing and be proud of the wonderful capture...loved it James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 4:27 AM Enjoyed your compliment Timothy, means a lot!

James Peranteau March 29, 2023 at 8:32 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 James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 4:27 AM You're a beautiful soul my longtime friend...peace be upon you...

Clifford Villalon March 22, 2023 at 9:30 PM Strength to you Sir James! James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 4:28 AM Thanks Clifford!

Joe Maverick March 18, 2023 at 12:16 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.' James Marshall Goff April 1, 2023 at 4:31 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 March 15, 2023 at 3:43 PM Great emotion mixed with fantastic imagery. What a poem! James Marshall Goff March 15, 2023 at 5:00 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 March 14, 2023 at 5:16 PM 'Only precious memories remain' This is super James, and wonderful poetry of yours to go with those memories.. Harry James Marshall Goff March 14, 2023 at 5:26 PM Nice to see you Harry!

Janice Canerdy March 14, 2023 at 4:18 PM Very descriptive, expressive, reflective piece, James. Janice James Marshall Goff March 14, 2023 at 5:26 PM Thanks Janice!

Mystic Rose Rose March 13, 2023 at 11:11 PM Praying your well my friend :) James Marshall Goff March 14, 2023 at 12:52 AM Thanks Vie!

Panagiota Romios March 9, 2023 at 7:59 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 James Marshall Goff March 14, 2023 at 12:52 AM Thanks Pangie!

Joe Maverick March 5, 2023 at 9:41 AM Very emotive content Jimbo, and a very real ending.' James Marshall Goff March 5, 2023 at 9:49 AM Thanks Joe, very...real...3+ months in a hotel today, still not finished condo rebuild since a fire consumed it last November....lost many cherished heirlooms, but memories remain...

1 2