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“Memories of Us are Few” July 4th, 2014, copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Texas Commentator

Posted in A Memorial to a Veteran on July 4th 2014, A Texas' Commentary, After Veterans Day 2012 on Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County Texas, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 4, 2014| Leave a Comment »

John J. Rigo’s name on the Veterans War Memorial in Mabank, Texas

John J. Rigo’s name on Veterans War Memorial in Mabank, Texas

Commentary for July 4th, 2014:  To my fellow veterans out there, a blessed day to you and all of your loved ones this day.

As a senior, I know there is not unlimited time in my life to be in this world.  I believe we all want to leave some part of us in the world.  Something beside a tomb stone in a forgotten grave yard some place.  Perhaps the kind of grave yard where the tomb stone lays flat on the ground.  A place where machines run across huge expanses of tomb stones while mowing.

I am proud to say, there is a place marked for me.  It is a memorial of beauty in an East Texas town of Mabank, Texas.  The memorial is a salute to perhaps, some of the happinest days of my life.  It was my four years of active duty in the Air Force.  Knowing that this place exists where my name is among those who have served our country with honor, brings me a truly wonderful peace. 

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

Posted in Dealing with the Pain and Suffering of Old Age, Overcoming Pain in One's Life a poem by John J. Rigo, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 
 
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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“Fair Weather Friends” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Discovering False Friends, I have had a "belly full" of e-mail and text "Friends.", Poems, What True Friends Really Are., tagged , , , , , , , , on June 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 

Courtesy of lomography.com

 
Commentary for July 2nd, 2013:  I recently had what I thought was a kind of angel come into my life.  I quickly found out it was one those mid forties “facebook-kind-of-freaks” who did not believe in phone calls or personal contacts with people but enjoyed the diversion of e-mail and texts and that was about it, in terms of relationships.  Both my wife and I tried to reach out to her with the hand of friendship but it was to no avail.  We certainly have come into a strange society where folks live more in the twilight zone than the real world.
 
 
Thru Seventy years of life on this world
there has been a few lessons of life
that were difficult to learn
 
Knowing the difference
between true friendships and Fair Weather Friends
was one of the hardest lessons of all.
 
In  discovering that vast difference in friendships
I believe we live in a form of self-denial
in realizing the differences.
 
I am now painfully aware
that the best friends I ever had
are now long dead.
 
Thank you Lord
for being to me
the friend that no other is.
 
As my Father once related to me
“One could live a lifetime and be able to count
the true friends they would have had
on one hand.”
 
I have been blessed in my lifetime
to have had two of those real friends
with now my Lord
as my constant Third. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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"The Question," The Master Series, copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, One of Seven Poems of the Master Series of Poetry, Poetry, The "Master Series of Poetry", The Master speaks of brotherly and sisterly Love, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of Google search

 
 
A beautiful day beckoned.
The sides of the hills were golden
with fields of grain. 
 
The Cypress trees were green
among great expanses of gleaming flat rocks.
An ideal day born for the enjoyment of the sun
and the wondrous words of the Master.
 
The crowd began to thin toward the afternoon sunset.
The Master was weary.
Many were the questions of the day.
The answers required much of His strength to loudly speak
the words of wisdom to the crowd. 
 
As the Master prepared to depart
a young man in the crowd shouted a question
in His direction.
  
The Master’s followers tried to quiet the man
to preserve their Lord‘s voice.
They knew He was exhausted from the
long day of preaching.
 
The young man shouted again,
“Master, what can I do in my life that would be
pleasing to my Lord and God?”
In hearing this question
the crowd stopped movement
in their departure.
 
The crowd turned as one toward
where the Master stood.
Raising up to His full height
the Master looked over the crowd
with the kindest of smiles and He said,
 
“The mirrors of your own souls are within the eyes of
your brothers and sisters.
If you see hunger in those eyes around you
break the bread and share it.
 
If you see sorrow
share your tears with your brethren.
If fear overcomes your neighbors
stand with them
for numbers overcome fear.
 
Above all of these
love your neighbor
as you love your children.
My love protects your brethren
as it protects you.
 
This sharing of your love in my Father’s name
will be pleasing to your Lord and God.
In this sharing of your love without reserve
without reward
without a counting
will you be given
the glories of eternity.”
These words were spoken this day 
by the Master of my life.

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“‘Red, White and Blue,” A Poem, and Personal Story, Dedicated to 9-11″ copyright 9-11-2001 John J. Rigo, poem selection from “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Posted in A Personal Story of 9/11, Remembering 9-11 on Memorial Day, What the Anniversary of 9-11 means to me., tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

   
 
 

courtesy of life.com

The following poem was written on the afternoon of 9-11.  It relates to the sorrow and pain of our country losing loved ones in a senseless killing of innocence in the deaths of 2,973.

“Red, White and Blue” copyright 9-11-2001 John J. Rigo

Red, White and Blue are the colors before me on this day.

It will be a day remembered by numbers used to summon help.

Nine, One and One, bring only the recall of white dust,

rock, and twisted steel in a sea of sorrow.

Can these tears wash away the pain

that this day brings?

Tears shed for those we love and are no more.

I cry out for my Brothers and Sisters in the depth of pain

that befalls their hearts.

Could there be a greater sin,

then a day so dark?

I think not.

I pray for peace, comfort, and hope,

for the souls rejoined with my Lord this day.

Red, White and Blue,

I cling to thee for hope, peace,

and healing in Thee.

For Thou are the only One,

Who can bring sense to this gruesome day of pain.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Personal Story:  I was born and raised in New York City.  My younger, and only brother, Richard Rigo of Smithtown, New York worked as a building engineer within blocks of ground zero.  He commuted every day to his building in the city from Smithtown.

On the morning of the attacks, my concern was for his safety.  Blessfully, he was on his way to work when the attacks began.  He returned home safely.

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“I Will Never Be Loved Like That Again” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Recalling Past Love a poem by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , on May 14, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 

Cover of first published poetry book "Roses Amidst Thorns" 2005 by John J. Rigo

Cover of first published poetry book “Roses Amidst Thorns” 2005 by John J. Rigo

The realization brought a choking to my throat.

My eyes swelled in tears.

The realization came to me fully

that I will never be loved like that again.

 

The youthful memory of having a woman look at me like that again.

The reflection of a hero in her eyes.

Reflected also in the shining armor of a knight.

 

Ah sweet memories

if only the taste of those kisses

could return again,

would I know again

the joy of love.

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"The Old McKinney Square Is Gone" copyright 2008 (Revised) John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"

Posted in McKinney Texas has changed since 1970, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »

1927 Collin County Courthouse, McKinney Texas ...

1927 Collin County Courthouse, McKinney Texas Historical Marker (Photo credit: fables98)

 
 
The Old McKinney Square is gone.
The place of adventure and discovery
that I found as a young man in 1970.
 
My background was of one born in New York City.
I had no trinkets or heirlooms from my past.
Old decaying Brownstones in Harlem had no such things
especially from the poor family of an iron and steel worker.
 
I discovered the joy of collecting antiques
on the Old McKinney Square in those days.
The collecting became a passion for me
as I called each antique a precious find.
 
There was a magic in those crowded
dusty shelves
packed with hidden mystery.
 
Each shop owner
each dealer
became first name friends
with a smile and greeting
as I searched
a part of each day. 
 
It was about 2001
that my quests were no more
for you see
I ran out of space
for those treasures. 
 
Today in another April in 2013
added to my life.
I decided to again
visit my Old McKinney Square.
 
The warm friendly faces
that I once knew
where gone into the dusty trail of time.
 
The crowded shelves of discovery were no more.
The store fronts were new.
Their new chic names in Gold letters on them.
 
The antiques were new
made to look old.
They lacked a certain warmth
and history in their shiny new look.
 
My heart filled with sadness
for I then realized
I too would soon be gone.
 
The Old McKinney Square is gone
never remembered
but forgotten.
 
All my sweet memories
of joys past
will also be gone
into the eternal sunset.

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“Embracing Life” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in "Embracing Life" a poem by John J. Rigo, A poem about embracing Life., tagged , , , , , , , on May 9, 2014| 4 Comments »

 
 

Courtesy of asmp.org

Embrace your Youth.
The ticks of time move more quickly
than observed or counted. 
 
Embrace the Love of your Youth.
The embers lose their warm and glow
more quickly than our memories will capture.
 
Embrace the Wisdom 
that is bestowed upon you.
It will carry you
through the dark days
before you.  
 
Curse not your regrets.
They are but markers along the road. 
Regrets render the opportunity
to seek forgiveness.
 
Embrace your Lord
with Love and Worship.
He will Bless you along the road
and to the final place
of His Love for you. 

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“Waking Knight” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in A Poem by Award Winning Poet John J. Rigo, Another point of view on Heaven, My Newest Favorite Poem, Poem, Poetry, The Soul Lives beyond our comprehension, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Image courtesy of Google Image Search. Poem by award winning poet John J. Rigo of East Texas.

Image courtesy of Google Image Search. Poem by award winning poet John J. Rigo of East Texas.

Poem "Waking Knight" by John J. Rigo. Image courtesy of Google Image search.

Poem “Waking Knight” by John J. Rigo. Image courtesy of Google Image search.

 
 
Commentary:  It is my belief that all creative writers look for markers along their writing journey that represent improvement in their craft.  This recent written poem is no exception in my almost thirty years of poetry writing.  Within the poem I see my belief in an afterlife,  I see myself as a warrior in defense against Evil representing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful image to die and awake in such a place in one’s after life.  Thank you Lord for this life and all lives that will be ahead in eternity. 
 
 
 
I awoke
as from a sleep
of death.
 
Long gentle fingers
were rubbing my forehead
the side of my face
touching my lips.
 
As my eyes opened
I knew I was no longer
on my prior world of earth.
 
Before me I beheld
a beautiful maiden
of golden hair
skin of cream and light
eyes of blue/grey and gold.
 
There was no fear within me.
I was at a place where I was meant to be.
I was home in a castle of my Lord‘s place for me.
 
My eyes gazed upon my body.
Upon me where plates of armour.
Gold-Silver and various jewels
incrusted upon them.
 
As the maiden raised my head
I observed the symbols upon my breast-plate.
In the middle in Gold was a Lion.
 
On each side of it were Dragons
standing with their feet gently
touching the Lion.
 
Above the Lion
flew a Golden Eagle
with wings of silver.
 
My armour gleamed
from head to toe
in this beautiful creation.
 
What battle has my Lord
prepared for me in this place?
Who was this maiden
who touches me with a loving touch?
 
The maiden spoke,
“My Lord, Evil awaits for battle.
Prepare thyself.”
 
 
 
 

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“True Forgiveness” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, What "True Forgiveness" is all About, tagged , , , , , , , on April 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »

 
 

Courtesy of jennfrancesca.blogspot.com

It was a long time ago that I hear this story about “Forgiveness.”
It was said that when we ask God for forgiveness
then all memory of our sin is totally removed from the memory of God.
 
What a beautiful thought
to think that the creator of everything
can wipe His Eternal Mind of all memory of our transgressions
once we seek His forgiveness.
 
Each day of my life
I am constantly amazed
in how many claim to follow the Lord.
 
Yet in their daily actions
as so-called Christians
their hearts are not truly sincere.
 
Remember this day
to be the Christian you claim to be.
When the one closest to you reviews their past in conversation
please do not take joy in reminding them of their past sins.
 
If God can forgive and forget
then you should also be able to do the same.

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