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“Dealing with ‘Old Timer’s” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, preview poem from “Passion Amidst Apathy”

May 19, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

So, let me see if I understand this,
“When our memory goes, who we are, then goes?
There is something deeply heart-breaking about that.
 
How do we measure our progress as humans,
when our previous memories are no longer?
Are we truly blessed with an Eternal mind of Spirit,
where our memories are never lost?
 
How will our God judge us,
if there is no recall of our sins,
or our glories in His name?
 
Is this when trusting God is so important?
Trusting that He will return to us,
our precious memories of the gifts of this life?
 
I can only hope so.
For without my memories of you,
would this life seemed without purpose.

Posted in upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", Winner of Collin County Texas Poetry Award | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

"It Is Done" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo from poetry book, "Roses Amidst Thorns"

April 24, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator


 

1959 Painting by John J. Rigo, titled, “Mother’s Sorrow.”

 
The gate stood high and firm before the light of paradise.
It had been this way for thousands of years.
The only light revealed was the light of God
through its bars.
 
A sound of longing was heard
from the millions of souls before its barrier.
There seemed to be no hope for reunion with God.
The day of days,
the hour of redemption
finally came to this place,
beginning with a cry of joy
from these souls.
 
Beyond the gates a cross appeared,
equal to the height and width of the gate.
The joy formed a song of everlasting love
on the lips of these souls.
 
It was a song unlike any sound ever heard before
or since this moment.
The words, “It is done,” were heard above the song.
The gate was no more.
The souls of God’s creation were returned home.  

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"The Insight of Our Lives" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"

April 17, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Every so often
God in His mercy
renders us the insight
of our lives.
 
The purpose of all of this
which most of the time
remains hidden.
 
It is a way of keeping the gift before us.
A way to show us what we are here for
and what is ahead.
 
A way of sharing the joy
to encourage us
to reward us
to place us on the path of wholeness.
 
It is but part of second
a flash of memory that lingers on
leaving the shape of hope
and faith bound to us
within the depth of us.

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"Words Upon My Stone" excerpt from "Roses Amidst Thorns" copyright 2005 by John J. Rigo

March 18, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
 
Arlington

Courtesy of Arlington

Someone asked me once
what I wanted to be
when I finally grew up.
 
I said to them, “Let me be a poet
with words that are never forgotten
in my journey of life.
 
Let my journey be one of joy
discovered in sorrow
to all of those who read my words.
 
When death finally enters my door
a special note upon my stone
I request be placed in memory of me
upon an earth that I visited
for a short time.
 
Let the words in simple chiseled letters
read thusly, ‘He was not a simple man
for God did not make him so.
He only wanted to be simply known
as a poet.
 
 
 
 
 

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“In Memory of David Allen Waldschmidt ‘WoJo'” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, Texas Commentator

March 16, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Today I attended the funeral of “WoJo” as he was affectionatedly called by his fellow officers in both the McKinney Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Department of Collin County.  WoJo was our customer in our State Farm Insurance Agency ( Linda Terry State Farm Insurance, McKinney, Texas) for almost ten years.

Everytime WoJo came to our office on insurance business, he was always a joy to be around.  WoJo was an officer in both the Sheriff’s Department and the McKinney Police Department for a total of thirty one years.  He was the longest serving officer on the McKinney Police Department.  He will be greatly missed by me, my wife, and my office staff.  Beside being a fine human being, he was the ultimate in the best, of what a peace officer should be.

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"Why Did It Take This Long?" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"

February 25, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Why did it take this long
to discover how much I love you?
All those days and nights are gone now.
I could have shared that time with you more deeply than I did.
Kisses rendered with soul, instead of obligation.
Why did not share my fears with you?
Had I gotten to the place, that fear of being a fool,
was more important, than sharing my soul with you?
I say to you, my friend, remember this,
“If love sits next to you each day,
render to that love,
praise and appreciation each day.”
In so doing,
your days will not be filled with regrets,
as my days are now filled,
with spent sorrow.

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A Poem in Memory of Nancy R. Bahrenburg, “I Will Never Be Far Away” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo, excerpt from “Roses Amidst Thorns,” Book I of the Amidst Series of Poetry Books

February 21, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

It was with deep sadness that I heard of the passing in the death of Nancy R. Bahrenburg, wife of Fred Bahrenburg.  In my memories of her in years passed she was a sweet and gentle woman.   Everytime she seen me she always hugged and kissed me, like a long lost sister.  I know she will be missed by many.  The following poem is dedicated to Fred her husband in that the following poem might bring him some measure of peace and comfort:

I will never be far away

no matter where you are.

My heart will always be with you.

 

Never will you have to seek

to find me

for I will always be

as close as your heart.

 

There is a special place for you and me.

A place that will never go away.

Where each day is made for you and me.

 

Each day

a part of an eternal string of pearls

as we love

and laugh through each setting sun.

 

Rising together

each morning with a song upon our lips.

Singing of our love for  one another

through this eternity

and all others

to follow.

 

Posted in Selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns" published in 2005 | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

"A Special Prayer" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy"

January 10, 2011 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Lord, Bless this day.
Bless me.
Weaken my enemies.
May I be pleasing to You,
in rendering Your Word to others.

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"Perfect Love" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

November 7, 2010 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

I have found the perfect love in Jesus.
He redeemed me with His love,
when I believed none was there.
As I left the earthbound,
material things of this world, I was lifted up to the heavens.
Before me lay the gates of joy,
covered with the tears of my redemption.
Awaiting my entrance were all the people
that I have ever loved and deeply grieved
their passage from the earth.
Open arms did I find;
hugs of love, was I given.
Upon entering those gates of joy,
beyond sight and time,
I  saw a garden laid before me.
In the garden were the trials and tribulations
of my life on earth.
They were but one small pea
compared to a field of His love.
I have found the perfect love in Jesus.
He redeemed me with His love,
when I believed none was there.
Now, I have been found. 

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"Singing In The Rain" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"

October 4, 2010 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

I am singing in the rain with you.
Our feet dancing between the raindrops.
Our cares belong to tomorrow.
Our hands clenched while skipping over puddles.
Just singing in the rain together.
This is truly what love is all about.
You and me together,
with glistening raindrops,
upon our laughing faces.
This is truly our moment,
of our love together,
just signing and dancing in the rain.

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