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Posts Tagged ‘God’

“Am I Now Lost to my Time?” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Is this the Future of the US?, The New Obama flag for the US, What three more years of Obama will bring., tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of freerepublic.com
Somewhere along my journey I stepped into a time machine.
I do not remember exactly when it happened.
I stepped forward in a strange land where a language
was spoken that did not sound like any tongue I knew.
 
The beings looked like me.
The planet seemed the same
but it was not.
 
There was a new God
in this land
in this dimension.
His name was Obama.
 
I looked closer at the eyes
of those about me.
Their was a strange blankness
in their eyes
an emptiness of spirit
I could not explain. 
 
I eagerly sought a sight of a flag pole
to see what land I might be in.
My eyes sought the Red, White and Blue.
 
Instead I looked with fright upon a flag
all to familiar from a past election.
God did not save us.

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"Yea Through the Grace of God Go I" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"

Posted in Battling after Holidays Depression, Overcoming Depression, Poetry, Selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns" published in 2005, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 
I have been where you are
a hell of loneliness and despair.
Had I created this place in my past
as you are now
where I was once?
 
I ask myself what pains cross your mind
as this day of many comes to you?
Do you hunger?
Are you without sleep?
 
The night only brings fear for your life.
Are you without anyone who cares
where you are this day?
Are you missed?
 
I too have been where you are.
From ashes of the mind did thou raise me
from a pit of worldly hell.
 
It was not my talents of mind
nor spirit that lead me from this dark world.
It was my prayers.
 
You never failed to hear me
when I cried out to you.
When I tried to end this life
you spoke gently to me
asking me to be patient
and wait one more day.
 
One day lead to another.
Finally the sun began to shine again
in your blessings and your love for me.
 
Thank you Lord
for giving hope to the hopeless
as you gave to me.
 
Thank you Lord
for loving me when I was without love.
Yea Lord without your grace
would I now be lost.  
 
 

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“The Shadows of The Dark” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, a poem about overcoming Depression, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poems, Winning the Fight Against Depression, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 

Courtesy of copingwithdepressioncenter.com

 
 
 
I have fought this battle before….. I lost.
It starts with those that are closest to us.
They remind us of our shortcomings
rather than our victories in life.
 
We fight but seem not to overcome
the weight that falls upon our spirit.
We cannot find anyone to reach out to.
 
Those that we thought cared about us or loved us
really are not sincere in their hearts.
We no longer live under illusions.
 
We feel that our life is over.
Our very breathing becomes heavy
the weight upon our lungs for air becomes heavier.
The battle for light begins.
 
We must reach again for the strength of our Lord.
We must armour ourselves.
Before us lays the battlefield.
Prepare for the good fight.

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“A First Love Never Dies” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in A Poem about "First Love" by John J. Rigo, tagged , , , , , , , on January 2, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The parks of Savannah, Georgia that we use to walk back in 1960. Picture courtesy of Google image search.

The parks of Savannah, Georgia that we use to walk back in 1960. Picture courtesy of Google image search.

There are times
the sadness just rolls over my chest.
Crushing ocean waves upon my heart.
Memories of you return.
 
A first love never dies.
Innocence in love’s discovery
of another.
Pure linen wash were we.
 
Time is a cruel thing.
Relentless in its forward movement.
Removing the taste of the moment
quickly from our lips.
 
Life was uncomplicated then.
Two lovers walking hand and hand
to a Walgreen’s breakfast for $1,98 each
after church in downtown Savannah.
 
The year was 1960
a young man of 18 was I
while you a newly 18
off a recent bus from Happy, Texas.
 
A story book love story
did we own in our shared love.
A first love never dies
but wings through eternity.
 

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“The Joy and Courage to Overcome Pain” copyright 2013 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Overcoming Pain in One's Life a poem by John J. Rigo, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 31, 2013| 2 Comments »

 
 
Author unknown. Courtesy of Google Image search.

Author unknown. Courtesy of Google Image search.

I deal with extreme pain each day.
I use to curse the pain
I no longer do
but rejoice
in overcoming it.
 
The pain comes from a fall
over eleven years ago
a fifteen foot fall from a ladder
into concrete
while trimming a tree.
 
The results were
a fracture in my spinal bone
three disks in my back crushed.
 
Each waking hour
of every day
is filled with constant pain
many times
to a point of agony.
 
The pain follows me
to bed at night
ever relentless
constantly disturbing
my sleep. 
 
Each morning as I awake
I rejoice in a new day
to the joy of my Lord‘s creations
and His Love for me.
 
This body but a temporary home
of the Loving spirit that my God
has created for me.
 
My thoughts each morning
turn to the Crucifixtion of my Lord.
Surely the total pain
I have felt these eleven years
would never equal the agony
He suffered in just
one day. 
 
Thank you
my Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ
for the blessings of this day.
 
I know now
a place awaits
for me with You
in eternity. 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

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“The Forgiveness Letter” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , on December 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of Google image search. No credit available.

 
 
I found myself at the apex of my life.
It was not a twelve step program that entered my mind
but a way to seek “Forgiveness.”
 
The list was long
and difficult to put together.
Many of the names were from many years ago.
 
A great amount of time was spent in finding addresses.
Many of the people of the list
were long dead.
 
It was a form letter I composed.
It began, “This letter is written to ask for your forgiveness
for any hurtful thing said or done to you in our relationship.
Please accept my apology for such actions on my part.”
 
There is now a large pile of letters with stamps on them
awaiting in a box to be mailed.
Some will be returned “undelivered.”
 
A large number of my addresses will never respond. 
A few will write back simply saying that the apology is accepted.
A greater number will write back listing my sins upon them
and close with black bitterness in their closing written words.
 
Then there will those who are the exceptional of heart.
In their return letters
they will also accept responsibility for any hurts
brought to the prior relationship. 
 
There will be a wonderful result in sending these letters.
I did seek “Forgiveness.”
Whether is was given or not
is not important.
 
What will be important
I will then know
who my neighbors in heaven
will be.
 
 
 

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"One Night" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A Christmas Poem by John J. Rigo, Winner of Collin County Texas Poetry Award, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of sion.hr

 
Steely the night shown against iced blackness
with a white diamond star blazing in the heavens.
Hints of soft voices whispered in the wind.
 
The weary shepherds pushed forward on their staffs
looking forward to the comfort of their tents.
Beyond the hills the sky glowed.
 
A choir of voices was heard with a sweet clarity
the sound of bells vibrated among the sound of horns.
The animals spooked deaf to the commands of their masters.
 
The wind increased in its volume and strength.
The shepherds were filled with fear.
Light overshadowed the darkness
during the midst of night.
 
Within the light formed
the most beautiful soft
white and gold of human-like forms
shining against the sky.
 
The shepherd’s breath stopped in their throats.
Filled with excitement and happiness beyond their capacity to describe
their skin prickled.
 
Heavenly voices brought words to their ears
words singing of kindness
understanding
peace
and anticipation to these men of the field.
 
The voices told of a special child that would
unlock the gates of fear and bring eternal love
to the future of the world.
 
This happened on a special night
a long long time ago. 
 
 

 

 

 

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“Re-Run” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Passion Never Dies, Remembering the Passion of Youth, Silver-headed men never Die, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

 

Courtesy of the special collection of the University of Washington

 
 
It had been many years since he felt that way.
It was a rerun in his memory of the past.
There was fifty years between them.
She was outright flirting with him.
 
He was uncomfortable with it.
He was sitting right there with his Bride.
She acted like his bride was not even in the room.
 
Maybe it was how she got right into his face.
She looked at him like he was something really special.
She touched his knee under the table
as she kneeled before them on the side of the table
to take their dinner order.
 
Just when he accepted that his youth was long gone
she had to come along and remind him
what it felt like to be desired.
She was unfair in doing what she did.
 
Leaving behind the passions of youth
is not an easy thing for a man to do.
The move from passion to wisdom
is painful for any man.  
 
Perhaps ladies there is a lesson here.
Men of Passion never die in their hearts.
The burning heat of creation is part of their DNA.
Never treat your man like he is no longer alive.
 
Within every silver-headed man
still lies the young boy
remembering
wanting
desiring.
 
Laugh not at Passion.
It is as old as the centuries.
Forever faithful.
Forever remembering.
What it was like
to have been loved. 
 
Commentary on Poem:  Shortly after I posted this poem and shared it with one of my friends, their comment was, “John, some folks would just about do anything for a big tip, especially a twenty year old.”  His comment was filled with great laughter.  Frankly I joined the laughter with many big “Ha-Ha’s” on my part.  There is much truth in the saying,  “There is no fool, like an old fool.” Lol 
 

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"One Night" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A Christmas Poem by John J. Rigo, Winner of Collin County Texas Poetry Award, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 19, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of sion.hr

 
Steely the night shown against iced blackness
with a white diamond star blazing in the heavens.
Hints of soft voices whispered in the wind.
 
The weary shepherds pushed forward on their staffs
looking forward to the comfort of their tents.
Beyond the hills the sky glowed.
 
A choir of voices was heard with a sweet clarity
the sound of bells vibrated among the sound of horns.
The animals spooked deaf to the commands of their masters.
 
The wind increased in its volume and strength.
The shepherds were filled with fear.
Light overshadowed the darkness
during the midst of night.
 
Within the light formed
the most beautiful soft
white and gold of human-like forms
shining against the sky.
 
The shepherd’s breath stopped in their throats.
Filled with excitement and happiness beyond their capacity to describe
their skin prickled.
 
Heavenly voices brought words to their ears
words singing of kindness
understanding
peace
and anticipation to these men of the field.
 
The voices told of a special child that would
unlock the gates of fear and bring eternal love
to the future of the world.
 
This happened on a special night
a long long time ago. 
 
 

 

 

 

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“Somewhere Along the Way” copyright 2013 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in A new poem in December 2013 by John J. Rigo, tagged , , , , , , , on December 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

 

 
Image courtesy of Google image search. Author unknown.

Image courtesy of Google image search. Author unknown.

Somewhere along the way we lost each other.
I do not know exactly when it happened.
In thinking back at different times in our lives
I can only guess.
 
The journey we were on somehow
now goes in different directions
in the deep loneliness we now feel.
 
Memories flood to the mind
of those beautiful days and evenings
long ago when we spent our time
just kissing each other.
 
We were so excited then
in the discovery of our love.
I was truly then
your knight in shining armour.
 
At a time in life
that we should be glowing
in our accomplishments together
we are engaged in anger
with each other.
 
I love you my Darling
above all things
perhaps that is why
this growing void
saddens me so.
 
Oh where Oh were
did our love go?
 
 
 

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