Spotlight Poetry – Away! Away! – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled Mountain Stream by the artist Kelvin Lei. The work is of a mountain stream landscape painting. The image supports the poem Away! Away! written by the poet Goff James.
© Kelvin Lei, Mountain Stream, 2016

Away! Away! by Goff James

Away! Away! Storm’s spell cast
At the breaking edge of day.
Mountains, clouded, veiled in mist.
Rain drenched thundered sky.

Runnels, frenzied, gouging race.
Moorland flooded full. The land replenished.
Nature’s tumultuous chorus echoed far.
Away! Away! A circling buzzard shrieks.

Away! Away! The streamlets run, ribboned into one.
The growing rushing rips faster now
Through fern clad dales and wooded dells.
Racing neath moss lined bridges
Where dry stoned walls weeping stand.
Driven by some mysterious force heading for the sea.
The river wild, gurgling, chides mud strewn banks.
Away! Away! The waking ravens rant.

Away! Away! Passed verdant meadows
Where cattle resting lie and chew their cud.
Besides ancient sacred wells the river flows.
O’er arching lichened branches and

Moss crowned cragged waterfalls
The broadening brook her homage pays.
Her crashing song, a secret dam invades.
Away! Away! The playful otters bark.

Away! Away! Meandering; stealth adorned,
The ageing river listless drifts,
Whilst iridescent dew pearled dragonflies
Dance among the reeds.

Here, hidden, speckled trout with salmon rest.
Below the lustred fishers favourite boughs
The swollen river onward creeps.
Away! Away! The swans, in unison, loudly hiss.

Away! Away! With ambling gait
The restless river now descends towards the shore.
No weir, no lock, no man her progress has contained.
On shingled beach, crashing breakers jest.

Sea devoured the roving river’s trace erased.
In harmony with nature’s touch
She to the ocean’s call succumbs.
Away! Away! The swirling seagulls scream.

Poem Attribution – Goff James – Away! Away!

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Kelvin Lei, Mountain Stream, 2016

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-A-Mountain-Stream/850879/2838534/view

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Spotlight Poetry – Kidnapped – A Poem by Goff James

he image depicts a painting titled Spirit of the Night by the artist John Atkinson Grimshaw. The work is a magical landscape with a fairy painting. The image supports the poem Kidnapped written by the poet Goff James.

© Johm Atkinson Grimshaw, Spirit of the Night,1879

Kidnapped by Goff James

O’er night decked hill tops
Moors and vales

Silvered clouds moonlit
Sail and drift
Neath each and every
Midnight laden sky

In hidden woodland dells
From secret crystal palaces
Gauze winged fairies dancing rise
And elfins from their
Fern dewed spaces roam and
Spin and weave and cast
Their impish spells
Across the purpled dark
Entrapping foolish travellers
That dare to trespass
Beyond the stroke of twelve
Upon their star lit
Kingdom’s sacred groves

There to remain
Forever unknowing
Prisoners of their dreams

Poem Attribution – Goff James – Kidnapped

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Johm Atkinson Grimshaw, Spirit of the Night,1879

Source Attribution https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Atkinson_Grimshaw_-_Spirit_of_the_Night.jpg

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Spotlight Poetry – The Way We Were – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled The Way We Were by the artist Ali Asad. The work is a semi-abstract conceptual folk painting of three male figures with a dog on a plain off white  background. The image supports the poem The Way We Were written by the poet Goff James.
© Ali Asad, The Way We Were, 2018

The Way We Were by Goff James

Through our eyes you will see
Through our ears you will hear
Through our voices you will speak
Through our hearts you will live

Through our thoughts you will dream

Through your breath we will breathe
Through your hands we will touch

Through your feet we will walk
Through your blood we will bleed
Through your love we will love

Through our yesterdays you will see our deeds
Through our todays you will see our truths
Through our tomorrows you will see and sing our songs
Through our days you will see us just as one in unison
Through our nights you will see us as once we were

Through your dawns we will touch the waking sun
Through your days we will share the gifts of life you bore

Through your dusk’s we will remember joy’s blessed fragrance
Through your nights we will feel the moon and stars
Through your silence in the moon lit darkness we will find our way

Upon our tombstone you’ll see writ

‘The Way We Were We Did It Our Way’

Poem Attribution – Goff James – We DidIt Our Way

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Ali Asad, The Way We Were, 2018

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-The-Way-We-Were/949878/4540873/view

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Spotlight Poetry – In the Darkness – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled Dark Grey Life by the artist Shahnaz Sultana. The work is a monochromatic abstract expressionist painting. The artist has used a limited palette of black, grey and white.The image supports the poem  In the Darkness written by the poet Goff James.
© Shahnaz Sultana, Dark Grey Life, 2020

In the Darkness by Goff James

In the darkness
Of life’s bitter days

Never ever let it be forgot
You are special
You are unique
You are loved

Let your heart reach out
And dance
Unfettered as the breeze
Be the sun the moon the stars
Let your light shine forth

Never ever let it fade

In the darkness
Of life’s bitter days

Open wide the gate
Named Love
And let her enter in
Remember always
You are loved
You are unique
You are special
You are you
Let your light shine forth
Never ever let it fade

Poem Attribution – Goff James – In the Darkness

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Shahnaz Sultana, Dark Grey Life, 2020

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Dark-grey-life/1734486/8192423/view

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Spotlight Poetry – Alone I Stand and Stare – A poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled Loneliness by the artist Yulia Gabyan. The work is a monochromatic female figurative watercolour portrait painting. The artist has used a minimalist palette of cold and earthy  colours  that infer the emotions involved with being alone and the trauma of loneliness.The image supports the poem Alone I Stand and Stare written by the poet Goff James.
© Yulia Gabyan, Loneliness, 2017

Alone I Stand and Stare by Goff James

Alone
I stand and stare

In ice barbed silence
My face against
A misted pane is set
My aching heart scorched dry
Imprisoned
Within my tortured thoughts and
Tattered dreams
Alone
I stand and stare

Alone
I stand and stare
Through raindrops pearled
I watch
The mourning flowers weep

My unutterable grief they share
Such sorrow felt
Such deep pain borne
Each day unseen unknown

Alone
I stand and stare

Alone
I stand and stare

In this dreaded place
Time uncaring bleeding fades
My loneliness all devouring
O’erwhelms my very being

Anger shaken I scream out loud
Can no one set me free
I turn and face an empty room
Alone
I stand and stare

Poem Attribution – Goff James – Alone I stand Stare

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Yulia Gabyan, Loneliness, 2017

Source Attribution https://fineartamerica.com/featured/loneliness-yulia-gabyan.html

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Spotlight Poetry – In Silence Alone I Sit – A poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled White Cliffs by the artist Maurice Sapiro. The work is a realistic painting capturing the beautiful landscape of water and cliffs. This painting is portrayed in beautiful shades of orange, yllowblue, green and earth tones. The image supports the poem In Silence Alone I Sit written by the poet Goff James.
© Maurice Sapiro, White Cliffs, 2018

In Silence Alone I Sit by Goff James

In silence
Alone I sit

Upon the ancient cliffs
Where evening’s
Burning fingers stretch and
Twilight’s mystery lingers long

Entrapped within my
Weaving pained filled thoughts
I see the setting sun
Descend beyond the aching sea

In silence
Alone I sit
Listening to
The lowing melodies of

The waves lap against the shore
Neath the fading light
I hear the restless
Call of ocean roving gulls return

And nectar laden bees dance
O’er the salted purple heather

In silence
Alone I sit

Amid the shadows of my sins
That haunting rise and fall
As the the clifftop chorus
Softly fades and

Drifts upon summer’s fragrant breeze
Beyond the setting sun
Into the sheltered cooling corners
Of the closing of the day

In silence
Alone I sit
Watching the rising moon
Veiled in mellow lustred darkness

Amid the waking silence
That from the boundless ocean soars
Heavenwards
I lift my weary eyes

Offering to the opening night
A simple thankful prayer

Poem Attribution – Goff James – In Silence Alone I Sit

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Maurice Sapiro, White Cliffs, 2018

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-White-Cliffs/401106/7218205/view

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Spotlight Poetry – Outstretch Your Wings and Fly – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled )n the Wings of Freedom by the artist Vera Komnig. The work is a vibrant abstract minimalist expressionist painting of a bird rising on the wing. The artist has used a palette of cool vibrant colours that infer the movement of a bird in flight.The image supports the poem Outstretch Your Wings And Fly written by the poet Goff James.
© Vera Komnig, On the Wings of Freedom, 2021

Outstretch Your Wings and Fly by Goff James

Pained alone he stands
Upon fate’s
Ancient crumbling cliffs

As night’s aching gloom slowly seeps
Smothering his broken heart
The ocean unforgiving
Calls

Outstretch your wings and fly

 
From the darkened depths
Fermented waves unleash
Their flailing fractured foam
His splintered soul ice numbed
The wild wind’s
Snarling symphony
Howls
Outstretch your wings and fly

 
In the troubled turmoil
A moment’s stillness stirs
Poised unrehearsed he leaps
Into the dark abyss

In the rushing wilderness
As he descends a voice he
Hears
Outstretch your wings and fly

 
Dawn’s healing softness
His broken corpse embraces
And holds him in her arms
Once more he rises kissed by
Morning’s waking light

Love unspoken weeping
Peals
Outstretch your wings and fly

Poem Attribution – Goff James – Outstretch Your Wings And Fly

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Vera Komnig, On the Wings of Freedom, 2021

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-On-The-Wings-Of-Freedom-II/695057/8316354/view

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Spotlight Poetry – The Restless Poet – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled Restless Dreams by the artist Jeannine Chanin Penn. The work is a vibrant abstract painting. The image supports the poem The Restless Poet written by the poet Goff James.
© Jeannine Chanin Penn, Restless Dreams, 2016

The Restless Poet by Goff James

What if yesterday was today’s used
Is today tomorrow’s ken ignored

Picked up paper
Picked up pen
Returned to sleep and
Dreamed again

Waking questioning
What if when tomorrow then survives
Exacerbating bafflement
Picked up paper picked up pen

Dream’s confusions mind’s disguise
Absolute bewilderment

In such frenzied state doubts return
What if now is when and now is then

Then is when and when is now
Picked up paper picked up pen
So confused
Slumber’s fleeting rest returns

What if then and now
And when apart exist
Wearied by attempts to understand and solve
These unruly confusions in dreams persist

Picked up paper picked up pen
Notions’ complex still unresolved.

O how words and phrases fuse
Dancing syllables twist and turn

Rhythm hued stacked embroiled
Picked up paper
Picked up pen
So confused

Then and now and when encore
Turmoil rages
Picked up paper
Picked up pen

Thought’s and words explored
Do such nightmares ever end

Meandering musings and
Sleep-eyed versing full run

Drop the paper
Drop the pen
Such rambling verbiage
Undefeatable

Then and now as well as when’s
Victory well won
Subjugated lost forlorn
The restless poet

Thoughts shorn clean
To night’s fractured sleep succumbs

Poem Attribution – Goff James – The Restless Poet

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Jeannine Chanin Penn, Restless Dreams, 2016

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Restless-Dreams-Made-in-the-USA/882422/3116069/view

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Spotlight Poetry – in the waking light – A Poem by Goff James

The image depicts a painting titled Winter Sunrise by the artist Vladimir Kezerashvili. The work is a minter sunrise landscape painting. The image supports the poem 'in the waking light' written by the poet Goff James.
© Vladimir Kezerashvili, Winter Sunrise, 2011

in the waking light by Goff James

in
the waking light of
january’s ice
bitten dawns

o’er
the hedgerow ancient
hawthorn naked
bone chilled stands
a
single jewelled dewdrop
quivering clings
clasped to

each
decaying haw
faded red
winter’s fruit tree
weeping
songless stands
many-splendoured
sparkling bright

crowned

in sunlight’s stretching
rising golden rays
morn’s
reminder of
summer’s softer warmer
ways

Poem Attribution – Goff James in the waking light

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Painting Attribution © Vladimir Kezerashvili, Winter Sunrise, 2011

Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Winter-sunrise/30251/1684552/view

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Spotlight Poetry – Moonlight Rhapsody – A poem by Goff James

The image depicts a photograph titled by the photographer Hidenobu Suzuki. The work is a coloured photograph of plum blossom hanging from the trees in an orchard. The image supports the poem Moonlight Rhapsody written by the poet Goff James.
© Hidenobu Suzuki, Plum Trees, (Date Unstated)

Moonlight Rhapsody by Goff James

Neath midnight’s mighty darkened sky
Rising luminous clouds I glance.

O’er nectared hill tops wisp winged fairies fly.
Seduced, imbibed I join their sacred dance.

Neath starlight’s sapphire cosmic vault
Sweet perfumed breeze my being fills.

Such beauteous stillness, mind and eyes exalt.
Eve-tide’s lullaby weary soul distills.

Neath plum trees silvered blossomed boughs
I watch the stars immortal blest.

Snow pearled petals fall. Peaceful rest endows.
Pon earth’s verdant pillow, my head, I rest.

Neath moonbeams failing floodlit rays,
Twixt dawn’s burning breaths, morn conceived.

Bliss filled rivered dreams flow and fade away.
Life’s transient mortality perceived.

Poem Attribution – Goff James – Midnight Rhapsody

Copyright (c) 2022 Goff James – All Rights Reserved 

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Photo Attribution © Hidenobu Suzuki, Plum Trees, (Date Unstated)

Source Attribution https://mymodernmet.com/hidenobu-suzuki-blossoms/

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