Home » Poems » James Marshall Goff » Final Quarter

Final Quarter

If unused, tho filled with many memories,
This favorite pen         hesitates

Applesauce, blush-rose colored, lovingly Handmade from apples invented by grandfather's
Fellow professor friend at Ann Arbor
(Dr. Charles Haralson) zipped into a few
Freezer bags, accompanied our last
Roast pork dinner

Chili peppers, dazzling in sunlight! dried and
Overflowing my gallon glass jar, spice
Dishes no more

Love, tho bright one summer many years ago,
Does see a crack of light peak thru the door,
Opened only slightly

Wild ramps, chefs eagerly awaiting my
Announcement, lay buried under 5' of snow
Promises entombed in hope

Daylight is getting longer! but 30 seconds
In sub-zero temps, one can suffer frostbite

Still, seed catalogs have not stopped arriving!
Some companies sending their 3rd plea

I rely on genetics       instincts tell me I have
Survived this before, and staring at the sun
With eyes closed awaits!

If    I can survive the final quarter

             If
                 I
                    Can
                             Survive
         The
                  Final
                             Quarter


March '19

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/9/2019 6:01:00 PM

wow, talk about being snowed in . This was really great poem to read. I hope you make it to spring. Today my pear tree bloomed, just as I expected it would!

James Marshall Goff
Date: 4/9/2019 6:23:00 PM

Hi Andrea! barely pre-bud here...April snow-storm tomorrow nite yea...your pear tree sounds awesome! lotsa Sandhill Cranes & Tundra Swan honkin' thru our wetlands, much wildlands fun coming!

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 3/21/2019 6:13:00 PM

I really enjoyed reading this, Jimbo. A word-painter of vibrant imagery! Hopefully hope is not completely entombed. Hope you are weathering well despite the cold. Always, Laura

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/15/2019 11:13:00 AM

It seems this winter has been a long and wet one. Enjoyed reading your work. My husband has got about 50 tomato plants started in miniature hot houses and he wants to put them in the ground but always a danger of frost until after Easter even though we are in the south. Enjoyed reading your work. Sara

James Marshall Goff
Date: 3/15/2019 5:13:00 PM

Thx Sara! Love the idea your husband starting tomatoes! Finally sunny here, I have s/w window I wil now start mine!