James Marshall Goff Poet Free verse

Healing Scent of Fresh Lilacs

...the way flight begins in the heart
                               Martin Steingesser


 Stopping by the side of the road
I snap off armfuls of fresh lilacs
blooming in the universe,
a champagne bucket, tarnished 
remnant of long lost wedding gifts
serves a worthy vessel of renewal
my thoughts drift with heavenly
perfumed air in my flat, acceptable
since I am repulsed by any flower
scent present at my Grandfather's
funeral when I was four years old

lilacs were not there

Pharoah Sanders captures my thoughts
drifting sweet streams of flute sounds
exhalting visions of peace and love
in tandem with Sun Ra
coaxing creative vibrations that sustain
and encourage my journey as I seek
sustenance from giving as much love
to my fellow travelers as my heart
will provide
grateful, the universe is endless

grateful
the
universe
is 
endless


05/12/17

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Lena Pate August 9, 2024 at 11:21 PM Hi James, I loved reading your poem about lilacs and roses. My mother used to grow those in her backyard when I was growing up she had a real hand for both of them. In fact, she took a lilac bush and made it into a small tree. it was beautiful. I miss those because I moved to the south and every chance I get I do go up north to smell the lilac. Thank you for the memories. Out here

Harry Horsman July 18, 2017 at 3:53 PM Hi James glad to read your poetry again, this is a wonderful rendering of inspiring poetry, hope you are well. Harry

Paul Callus July 6, 2017 at 3:48 PM Such a lovely poem, James...a pleasure to read. Lilacs compete with roses for beauty and fragrance, but less the thorns! I can relate to the way by which scents of flowers can remind us of certain moments of our life. Regards // paul James Marshall Goff July 6, 2017 at 5:23 PM Thanks Paul! your consistent support on soup is valued!

Heidi Sands July 2, 2017 at 7:22 PM Very nice James. I can smell the lilacs now, from reading this too :) James Marshall Goff July 2, 2017 at 9:48 PM Thanks Heidi!

Pashang Salehi June 24, 2017 at 5:08 PM The aroma of a flower is within a gardener is just a tool. Pashang Salehi June 25, 2017 at 9:33 AM Indeed... James Marshall Goff June 24, 2017 at 7:26 PM Thank you, Pashang...other scents I like...desert sage....baseball sandlot dust

Eve Roper June 22, 2017 at 3:30 PM Your setting is very visual with the sweet scents of fresh cut lilacs,James, they are such a beautiful bouquet on a single stem. ~* James Marshall Goff June 22, 2017 at 7:33 PM Thank you Eve, you are very sweet

Jan Allison June 10, 2017 at 6:35 PM What a beautiful poem James ... I've got the song 'we'll gather lilacs in the spring again' running through my mind:-) Hope you get many pollinators flocking to your garden James:-) hugs jan xx James Marshall Goff June 10, 2017 at 8:03 PM Thank you Jan! hello across the ocean from Minnesota to you, my friend! Honeybees are active....Bumblebees are not out yet...Yellow Jackets are out & not at all agressive 'till August when Hornets begin attacking!

Scott Thirtyseven June 10, 2017 at 7:11 AM Nice flow, beautiful images, lovely read. James Marshall Goff June 10, 2017 at 7:48 AM Thanks Scott!

Kabuteng P.Ink K. June 2, 2017 at 9:15 AM Isn't it fascinating how so much of our memories can be related to scent? I really like how you just seemed to embrace lilacs here, Jimbo. Your gratefulness spills over in this piece and I found this so refreshing. Thank you as well for passing by my write the other day. James Marshall Goff June 2, 2017 at 3:57 PM Thanks so much, Nikko...I hope so much of what I hear happening in your Country is far from you...jimbo

Phyllis Babcock May 31, 2017 at 5:03 PM Have a tree blooming right out my kitchen window so the scent is blowing in at this moment. love phyl James Marshall Goff June 1, 2017 at 6:33 AM Thank you Phyl...facing some challenges today (as we all do!) need love & courage...you stopped by at just the right moment...jimmy

Akkina Downing May 24, 2017 at 8:16 PM Oh I think I can smell them too :) a beautiful piece, James. Hugs :) James Marshall Goff June 1, 2017 at 6:31 AM You're sweet, Akkina, thank you

Andrea Dietrich May 24, 2017 at 6:20 PM wow, this is very pretty, James. I loved reading about the lovely scent of those flowers and it was interesting why you favor them over others! James Marshall Goff May 24, 2017 at 7:52 PM Thanks Andrea! xtra special this Spring, as I fell on the ice & broke my arm this winter! (all mended!)

Juli- Michelle May 24, 2017 at 2:20 PM I enjoyed reading this today, what a blissful ending. Love, Juli-Michelle James Marshall Goff May 24, 2017 at 7:50 PM Thank you for such kind words, Juli-Michelle!

Sara Kendrick May 21, 2017 at 6:46 AM Enjoyed reading your work..I have never smelled the scent of Lilac..My mother planted a bush but when her and daddy went to the nursing home something happened to the plant..As far as I know it never bloomed..I am glad that I chose this one to read today..Sad about the loss of your grandfather...It had to be hard on a young child..Sara James Marshall Goff May 24, 2017 at 7:49 PM Always good to hear from you, Sara!

Maurice Yvonne May 18, 2017 at 6:21 AM A nice piece appropriate to the season. Very well written and expressed. Includes interesting background stories. Draws the reader in. Makes us feel makes think. A Fine write James Marshall Goff May 18, 2017 at 8:17 AM Thank you for such kind words, Maurice!

Laura Leiser May 17, 2017 at 8:49 PM Love the phrase "grateful the universe is endless"! Wonderful, nostalgic poem, James :) James Marshall Goff May 18, 2017 at 8:19 AM Thanks Laura! its true, "universe" is my 2nd favorite word

Eve Roper May 14, 2017 at 7:25 PM Scents that bring back thoughts of yesteryears always a joy if the thoughts were sweet and meaningful... love the the poem. ~* James Marshall Goff May 14, 2017 at 11:02 PM Thanks Eve!

Nette Onclaud May 14, 2017 at 5:59 PM i am delighted to read this charming write; it has this elevated feel as lilacs bloom with you, jimbo.. huggs James Marshall Goff May 14, 2017 at 11:02 PM You're sweet, Nette!

Anne-Lise Andresen May 13, 2017 at 1:42 PM - Experiences ... it's so great we travel in thoughts and memories ... back and forth ... smells and things that brings up images - Some pleasant and some sad - A great poem, James :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) James Marshall Goff May 13, 2017 at 5:20 PM Always a pleasure to see you stop by, Anne-Lise! so happy you like my poem!

Tim Smith May 12, 2017 at 6:31 PM A transceding piece Jimbo. I can't drink coffee to this day as it brings back memories of my grandfather's funeral when I was around 10. James Marshall Goff May 12, 2017 at 8:46 PM I understand Tim...we are fragile when love is interrupted, thanks always, for stopping by!