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Best Poems Written by James Marshall Goff

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The Old Painter

The Old Painter

sublime my paintings, memory be
lost in time, I now must see

where once the gale winds trembled chill
wrapped in blankets, remember still

a touch, a kiss, the summer sun
from deep within, must now be spun

I frolic to and fro in time
my brush, alas..... can only mime

I still can hear cicadas' whine
but yearn for yellow celandine

tho memories fade, my spirit thrives
aflush! my paintings will survive!

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009



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Shadows In My Mind

Darkness brings the shadows
Of places I have been
Memories loom in corners
Rattling in the wind
Sometimes whispers haunt me
Never letting go
Race across the star shine
Answers left unknown
Reaching blindly through the night
Someone to hold close
Only to find vapors
Drifting down like tears
Shadows never listen
'Till the morning light
Then I'll follow sunrise
Far into my mind

Then I'll follow sunrise

                          Far into my mind




02/09/13
© All Rights Reserved

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2013

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Silent Hearts

Silent Hearts


inside
silent hearts
words left unsaid
never find their voice
lost


12/01/10 
4:20 pm
© All Rights Reserved

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2010

Details | James Marshall Goff Poem

Waiting For Sunrise

My whole life waits, just this moment, the ink still

wet; for sunrise this clear May morning.

My shaman up already,
hair askance, dancing and trilling his flute
to the crescent moon face,
lit by the blue iron square welcoming
the sun.

The Sun appears now...my expectations grow...

A foray into the secret riverbank forest, hunting
for Morels with my hobo friend ( by choice,
wishing not to support 4 ex-wives)  Clark,
he with his walking stick adorned with colorful
talisman ribbons accumulated from a life spent
wandering....me with my crafted Yucca stick
a friend made for me.

Then...off to pick-up heirloom vegetable plants
a master gardener has nurtured for me to
grow in my community plot, where my friends
are happy to see me.

Amidst all, I'll have Ma accompany me,
(not in the woods) but not far away, her
smile always eager to share in my discoveries,
a comfortable sitting bench at the garden awaits
her, the smell of fresh-turned soil enriches her.

Later, I promised her we would grill at one
of her favorite places she remembers going
with Pop, alongside Minnehaha Creek, the
water gently flowing this time of year, birds
singing and Ducks playing,

The Sun is up further now,
this poem must end,

my destiny 

awaits



5/2/15
7am

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2015

Details | James Marshall Goff Poem

Who I Am

My Inventory:

flashlights
high-performance yo-yo
poetry books
fishing poles
ice-fishing hut
regret
pocket knife
sharpening stones
laughter
boomerangs
passwords
life's artifacts
Grandpa's Fishing Hat
hope and joy
Guardian Angel
wooden snow-sleds
more poetry books
olde-tyme-radios
compassion
camping gear
Babar, the Stuffed-Elephant
Angel-in-a-basket
imagination
McCoy Cookie Jars
nature field-guides
forgiveness
Soup-friends
ties I don't wear
family heirloom recipes
suits I try not to wear
treasured photographs
170 poems
antique lamps
my Children's love

......and You

       my Savior

           ....... Jesus Christ

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009



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Snow Angel

Snow Angel


headlong into clouds

babe dug tunnels in the snow

smiling from heaven



……a day like today….. sun reflecting off the icy snow, about 5-below-zero….my animal best 
friend (Golden Retriever)  “Babe Ruth”  thought he was in heaven on earth!....now he’s in 
heaven smiling…

11/27/10
9:55 am

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2010

Details | James Marshall Goff Poem

The Twinkling

above
the hazy moon
night time whispers stories
shooting stars race in close to hear
and wink

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009

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Masterpiece

Masterpiece

 By James Marshall Goff





picture 

                    our planet


                                        framed in


                                                    ~LOVE~LOVE~
                                                    L                  L
                                                    O      our      O 
                                                    V    planet     V
                                                    E                  E
                                                    ~LOVE~LOVE~

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009

Details | James Marshall Goff Poem

Dreamtime: Flowers Never Bloom

I heard my name  from shadows spoke,
beyond the place called time

where thoughts begin, from deep within
where names have never been

It's there I found the driftless peace
upon the sunlit glen

far from the distant cloudless nights
where hope has never been

I felt the tears of morning dew
the Angels left for you

I'll shine a light upon your path
that sunrise never knew

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009

Details | James Marshall Goff Poem

Labyrinth

silk dreams
weave a path
of ancient memories
leading me towards a shared destiny
with my ancestors
blessing me with visions
they dreamt
and now I see
~inspired by my interest in finding and walking 'labyrinths' around the Midwest...

Copyright © James Marshall Goff | Year Posted 2009

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