My own theory on what Tom Bombadil and Goldberry are

[Olorgando]

Yes, it's in the poem "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"; she's the "River-woman's daughter", who pulls him into the water. He escapes, but returns and captures her.View attachment 6078View attachment 6079

That cover you show is interesting, S-eS. "Edited by Christina Scull & Wayne G. Hammond", "Illustrated by Pauline Baynes".
Baynes illustrated the original edition of 1962, while Scull & Hammond did their annotated edition in 2014 (as per Wikipedia).
My Unwin Hyman / Unwin Paperbacks edition is a 1990 "New Reset Format", and the illustrations are by Roger Garland.

 

[Beleg Cúthalion]

I wasn't being that literal

It's more her spirit that reminds me of Edith. Goldberry was kind and patient especially with the Hobbits. Edith was kind and patient with Tolkien's writings, his creations. If you've ever lived with a writer than you'll know it takes a lot of patience and kindness to make the relationship work.

I know it's a stretch but it's my impression. If I remember correctly, the Professor answered that Tom was meant to signify the English countryside and Goldberry epitomized the seasons. He is primal land she is primal water. But now I'm going too deep. I just enjoy thinking of them as the Tolkien spirit.

I think it is a very interessant theory. The idea that Tolkien put him and his wife in his own work is sweet, as the scripture on his grave. And that explain Tom Bombadil and Goldberry are so only in Middle Earth, that they was a race that they was the only representants.
So thanks for this theory that I had never thought of before!