James Marshall Goff Poet Free verse

Wish Boat

WISH BOAT 

my wish boat rushes away 
 in the swift spring creek,

 I'm keeping it in sight
 as long as possible, 
 just like when I was a little boy 

Dad taught me how to make boats 
 from stuff you could find on the riverbank 

 bark 
 twigs 
 vines 
 acorns and pine cones  
 for ballast 

 you needed your pocketknife 
 to carve it just right! 
 (all the boys in my neighborhood carried pocketknives!) 

 excitement, pride and a little sadness, 
 all mixed together, 
 as I watched my boat sail away, 
 wondering, where it's journey will take it. 

 the whole idea of a wish boat 
 is the secrecy of your wish, 
 making your wish  
 come true. 

 well..... 

 I guess there's no chance 
 of 
 my wish coming true, 

 Dad's been gone a little over a year now, 


..... and he's not comin' back

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P Sheart October 3, 2009 at 6:25 AM Congrats James, making the semi-finals, good luck!! Love Light Truth Patricia

Raul Moreno October 2, 2009 at 12:16 PM JMG, congratulations on making the first round of the contest...Raul

Robin L. Gass September 27, 2009 at 5:12 AM Congratulations James! This is such beautiful, touching poetry. Love your creative display, too! Best of luck in the finals! Love, Robin

P Sheart September 25, 2009 at 2:21 PM Congrats!! Love Light Truth Patricia

James Peranteau September 25, 2009 at 7:00 AM Mr. Goff,..congratulations on your first round entry on a fantastic poem ! james

Elaine George September 25, 2009 at 5:54 AM Dear James, Best wishes through to the next round. Lainie

Debbie Guzzi September 25, 2009 at 5:48 AM Touching verse to make your WIN with...my Dad's still here..Mom's gone..but always with me in my heart. Light & Love & Congrad's

Carrie Richards September 24, 2009 at 3:41 PM Congratulations James, on this touching poem making into the 2nd round!! ~ good luck!! love, Carrie

Carolyn Devonshire September 24, 2009 at 12:34 PM Dear James, Congratulations on being in the round-one finals! Love you, Carolyn

James Fraser September 24, 2009 at 12:04 PM James, congratulations in getting past round one of the competition >> James

Carol Sunshine Brown September 24, 2009 at 10:44 AM Congratulations on your poem making it through the first round Jim.Wishing you the best in the finals. Love, Carol

Vince Suzadail Jr. September 1, 2009 at 9:34 AM Sad but a tribute to Dad. I've been lucky. Even with his cancer as a child and his drinking and carrying on all his life, at 89, I still have him with me. This one was a reminder of what a blessing that is. Vince

Constance La France May 3, 2009 at 7:08 AM This is a beautiful tribute to your Dad, well written, it speaks of pride, of love, of sadness, yes, me too, I wish, my Dad could come back, but my Dad is watching over me from heaven, and I bet your Dad is looking down at you also, and they are smiling. I am happy you enjoyed my poem Dads Work shed, Ihave another I wrote about my Dad, called, I Promise, you might enjoy.

Jade Exit April 21, 2009 at 11:56 AM my dads left me and my mom when i was 3 and so say be died in mexico but i believe we'll all be together again sumday

Helen Beck April 5, 2009 at 1:07 PM Oh Sweetheart, this is so sad. wonderfully written, it reaches out and tugs the reader's heart strings. love, Helen

Lucinda Bulger March 26, 2009 at 3:41 PM very excellently expressed! and may I say the love our parents give us, then teach us things as these... never ends, it moves on through the rest of our lives, the essence of your father will always return to you in moments of need. Appologies if I went too deep within my comment. I was very moved by your work here today. Best regards, Lucinda

Carolyn Devonshire March 24, 2009 at 4:06 PM Had to revisit one of my favorites here and share it with a friend. You brought tears to our eyes. This is truly magnificent!

Frank F. Atanacio March 23, 2009 at 9:40 AM touching, and the flow perfect :)--this poem will keep him in your heart-

L'Nass Shango March 23, 2009 at 7:10 AM Jim, I rewind, because the shape of the poem is the container of a powerful content. This poem shows you listening to the sweet voice of inspiration. Good!

Michelle Mac Donald March 21, 2009 at 5:40 PM Beautifully done James! Very touching.."he's not comin' back". However, those moments you shared will always be with you. Wishing you and yours the best...Mikki

Jane Bowen March 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM Not comin' back...SO POWERFULLY STATED!~ I am so touched by your words in this poem. You are a fine genuine poet. I have only respect and good wishes for you! I want to let you in on a little wisdom I acquired along my life path...it has to do with loss, and day to day waiting for change. I learned I had to make an ptimistic change in my own heartmind.l et go....love where I was. Love what I have.. You do have a father....he will always have you in his heartmind too!~ Know that~!! Jane

Charmaine Chircop March 20, 2009 at 11:55 PM HI there,im so sad for the loss of your dad,its hard loosing your dad,but you know part of him is still with you,when you're making boats he's your reminder.when you're at sea he's there again.i love boats and have love for the sea too,your dad is here in spirit and caring of you,nice poem so very nice-charma

Ronald Bingham March 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM Priceless poetry James, I can relate. Blessings, Ron

Diane Christian March 20, 2009 at 11:29 AM aww it is sad when we loose loved ones, I lost my dad 23 hours after giving birth its 13 years this august, this is a wonderful write and I too know how it feels but I hold on to Gods promise that we will see our loved ones in heaven when we are called home. I beliveve it is true Jesus came for our reconsiliation with God, God bless you from diane

Carolyn Devonshire March 20, 2009 at 8:08 AM I love the concept of a "wish boat," James. Isn't it sad how these boats vanish on the horizon. I lost my father in January, so I know exactly how you feel. Creative images of youth, mixed with a powerful message.

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