“Everything We Have Done is Forgiven” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

scene from the movie “Solaris” with line of forgiveness. Image courtesy of Google Image Search.

The words echoed in my head,

“Everything we have done is forgiven.”

My lips prior to hearing those words

forming words of asking for forgiveness

stepping off into the white light of eternity. 

 

Every hurt ever rendered to others

was now wiped clean from memory.

Pangs of guilt were no longer a part of me.

My Lord’s recall now even wiped clean.

 

What a blessed gift given to a contrite heart.

In His own Death for the vastness of our own sins

do we now find them forgiven.

 

“The Bradford Pear Tree of Club Lake Trail” copyright 2004, a lost poem recovered, preview poem, “Passion Amidst Apathy” This Poem is Dedicated to the Storm Victims of North Texas.

  

“Why do you stare at me?”

A Pear Tree am I

unchanged by the lost of a part of me.

I am the same

nothing has changed

there is just less of me.

 

Why do you stare a me

as you pass?

Am I so different then before?

 

I still smell the air

feel the sky

and warm myself in the sun of day

soak the rain of day

amidst the storms that roll into my horizon.

 

I still dream of dreams

yet to come

for I am and still am

the mighty Bradford Pear Tree of Club Lake Trail.

 

I was taller

fuller and prouder

than I am now

but still the Bradford Pear.

 

The tree you looked upon each day

with such pride.

Have I changed so much from those days

when you looked so lovingly at me?

 

The change came slowly over the years.

Worms chewed in the joy of my wood

seeking the essence of me.

 

I grew

but as each leaf fell

I became closer to my death.

 

The death of cut wood and broken twigs

laid upon a ground now unknown to me.

What changed me so quickly and without warning?

 

It was shortly after midnight

the storm came.

Wind tearing at the very soul of me.

 

Wind ripping my inner part out

to lay useless

and with only partial life upon the ground.

 

I am still the same

the Bradford Pear

I live

I breathe

I sun

even with fuller leaves

than before.

 

Should you now love me less

for not being as powerful

and mighty as before?

 

I love you no less

for you see

I am

and will always be 

your Bradford Pear Tree of Club Lake Trail. 

“Am I Now Lost to my Time?” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, with Commentary on President Obama, Upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Courtesy of freerepublic.com

 

Commentary on March 15th, 2014:  I am reposting what seems to be a popular poem that I wrote regarding our President.  Yesterday, while undergoing a medial procedure, my doctor and I shared our despise for President Obama.  Truthfully, I always choke up when I have to use the word “President” before Obama’s name.  If anyone in our history was not worthy of the title, Obama is the one.

 

My doctor is of course, an educated man but sadly lives in denial regarding the powers of Obama.  His take is that President Obama will never be impeached but is now “boxed in” and will not be able to bring any further harm to our country.

 

I tend to realize that this is the attitude of the majority of educated individuals that I come upon in my daily life.  There seems to be a trend where there is a lot of shouting and crying over the lying regime that Obama has put into place in our country but nothing is being accomplished by the Republican party, a party that has truly lost its way in leadership for our country. 

 

To my way of thinking reality will only set in when the majority of the white middle class of this country are herded into Federal “Care Camps” under Obama as they await the new gas chambers built by his administration.  When that day comes I will be dearly holding my American Flag and fighting to the death in an attempt to save my country from the tyranny of Obama. 

 

 

 

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.

“Regrets at the End of the Journey” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

Courtesy of lifeas5.com…… “Looking Back at our Journey”

One can not have lived close

to three-quarters of a century 

without looking back.

 

On this day I found myself looking back

at my own journey.

I believe no human can have lived a full life

without regrets.

 

There is a certain unfairness to life.

Wisdom seems to be the gift of the elderly.

It seemed lost to me in my own youth.

 

I am not proud to reveal

that I have known many woman in my life.

Many of them I did love

in my youthful way.

 

As I recall them in my own life

I look upon them

in my memories

with a giving and gentle heart.

 

I have learned in life 

we will only have one true love.

A love that accepted us

as we were.

Loved us totally

without a reserve held.

 

If we let that person

slip thru our fingers

it becomes a sorrow………….

we will always carry.

 

It is down the road that

our lack of wisdom becomes

clear to us in our choices in life.

 

Wherever you may be my Love

this day

know that I still Love you

in my heart and mind.

 

I wish you

Love

Happiness

Joy

Peace

from a far-away shore.

“The Dark Angel Amidst Us” copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

The Dark Angel will be overcomed.

Amidst us stands the Dark Angel

joyful at each victory gained against us.

 

A free will to choose Good or Evil

a gift from our Loving God

is a part of our daily struggles.

 

The weapons of the Dark One are many.

Darkness that covers our mind with sorrow

in our latter years

to place us in a void of hopelessness

and fear.

 

Lost of health

lost of loved ones

bringing doubt to our aging minds.

 

Are we to be snatched from His Love

at our Eleventh hour before death?

 

Render your darkness to God’s Love and Power.

The Lord will lift you above this Evil.

 

Never fear

never give in to distrust nor hate

in the darkness that attacks you.

 

The Dark One’s only reward in eternity is suffering

while yours will be in the Light of God’s Love forever.

 

 

“Thinking of You” copyright 2013 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

Courtesy of bloggingprince.blogspot.com

I thought of you this morning.

I was in my mid forties at the time.

You were in your early twenties.

It seemed we were centuries apart

when we first met.

 

When our eyes first locked

all sense of time disappeared

between us both.

Desire became a blind flash

to my brain.

 

Each time you passed me

I could not take my eyes

off of you in your passing.

I became consumed with you.

 

The blessed time finally came

we were alone together.

Always will I remember

how you felt in my arms.

 

I melted as you pressed to me

in a bonding of our bodies.

Mere cloth did not stop the dream.

 

I never loved anyone

with the passion I had

in finally making love to you.

 

Happily was my lust

lost in the folds of you.

Sweat of sweet nectar

upon my tongue in you. 

 

Your lips upon me

tasting

sucking

licking

upon me

in me

around me.

My body becoming a liquid

of your feast upon me.  

 

It was in a moment

that I knew we created

a beauty of light

between us.

 

Somewhere this day

I know you exist.

Know this day

my sweet one

I am haunted by you. 

 

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

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.

 

 

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.”

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.  

 

 

“My Magic Red Shoes” copyright 2009 John J. Rigo, upcoming “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Courtesy of favena.blogspot.com

 

 

At times it would be nice

to have a pair of magic red shoes.

Just clicking them together three times

would do the trick.

 

Suddenly I would be transported

to wherever my mind of memory

would wish to go.

 

At this very moment

I could easily think of a dozen places

I would love to be at this moment.

 

Each time frame

would place me at a time and place

where I felt greatly loved.

 

Where there was a skip in my step

and a constant grin on my face.

I can easily bring to mind

scenes of such places in my past.

 

Skipping through a mall with her

like a school child.

Dancing with her

for the first time

with my arm around her waist. 

 

Ah yes then their were those

first kisses

always soft

always remembered

always joyful

in the way those kisses went to my toes.

 

Truthly knowing what I know now

would I have taken more time

to savor every moment.

 

Time in remembering every detail

of the places of my youth

where my magic red shoes

would have taken my heart.  

“I Broke Your Heart” copyright 2008 John J. Rigo future book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

 

Courtesy of Google Search….author unknown

I broke your heart.

I know when the deed was done.

I knew then

as I know now

I was in love with you.

 

More afraid of failure

than giving myself to you.

I still can hear in my soul

the sound of your tears

on the tape from that day.

 

Two hours of tears and screaming

my name in agony.

I was the center of your agony

in my rejection of your love.

 

It has been twenty-five years

since that day.

A day never goes by

that my thoughts turn to you.

 

In my being

I now know

that the joy I knew with you then

will come again in my death

and hopefully with it

the joy of heaven.

 

If you are reading this

at this very moment

know this is one

who will always love you.

“My Beloved Survivor” copyright 2009 (Possible PG13 rating) John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Courtesy of Hubpages.com

 

She stood naked before me in the bathroom.

Before me I can see her beauty

amidst the scars of her two battles.

 

Breast cancer

twice in a ten year period.

 

Her left breast was twisted almost inward.

The scar under her arm pit made her nipple

bend inward toward her chest wall.

 

Upon her right breast the burn was clearly seen.

It was where six weeks of radiation were done

in one week. 

 

The right side was caved inward in this area of burn.

Her nipple stood straight high and proud on this breast. 

This was the breast that the doctor suggested

that she also have chemo due to her second bout.

 

Her hair had long grown back from this terror

of a heart-wrenching attack on her entire body.

 

As she smiled at me

and kissed the top of my head.

 

I thanked my Lord

for putting this beautiful

and strong woman

in my life.   

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

 

 

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.'”

 

 

 

 

 

“The Gift of a Stranger’s Smile” (Revised) copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Roses Amidst Thorns”

  

Courtesy AngelsByEve.com

It was one of those days that nothing seemed to be going right.

My mind filled with racing thoughts

going different ways

Questions, questions with seemly no answers

as I pushed through the crowd

of wherever I was going.

Suddenly  in my own world

I looked up

and there you were

passing me ever so quickly.

The smile that you gave me took my breath away.

A stranger’s smile in a maddening world. 

There was such kindness in that smile of yours.

The warmest of feelings overcame me.

Peace and Joy was brought to my racing heart.

Long after you were gone

I tried to remember

what you looked like.

Were your eyes Blue or Brown?

All that remained in my mind’s eye

was the memory of that very special and endearing smile.

A smile that brought a smile to my own lips.

With a nod of my head

I gave thanks and appreciation

for this gift from a stranger.

 

Long after this time

a strange thought came to my mind.

Could angels be walking this earth

to remind each of us

that love can be

the gift of  the day? 

 

“Between The Pages of My Prayer Book” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

Courtesy of jesussaves.com

My journey has been a long one

in the practice of my religious beliefs.

My start was born and raised as a Catholic.

I left the religion at age 22 due to a divorce

from a childhood sweetheart.

 

My journey continued

to the Baptist faith

the Methodist faith

the Presbyterian faith

to finally a little hole in wall

church in East Texas where

the organizers claimed to be Messianic.

 

Slowly over time it was discovered

that the organizers of the church were false

to new members in their belief system.

They were actually Karaite Jews

who look upon Jesus as a fable. 

 

In their lie to new members

it was their plan to convert

those to their religion

who came into their mist.

 

Through this journey

my faith in My Lord and Savior

became even stronger.

 

I left their church

in the road trash they were

far behind me.

 

I was blessed in learning

the secret to eternal life

by these experiences.

 

Only by giving ourselves

up entirely to the Will and Plan

of Jesus Christ for us

will we be given the blessings of this life

and the eternal life before us. 

 

Insight:  It was along this journey

that I discovered a book I did not know.

It was called the Bible.

 

Each Saturday my wife and I

spent an average of two hours

reading from the new and old Testament.

A book it seems the Catholic religion

never hear of when I was a young man.

 

Following is a reading from Psalms I (1)

that we read this past Saturday.

It speaks of the Word

I meditate on each day:

 

“Happy the man who follows not

      the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

      nor sits in the company of the

      insolent,

But delights in the law of the Lord

      and meditates on his law day and

      night.”

 

 

 

“The Tree of Life” (Revised) copyright 2007 John J. Rigo upcoming Book III, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

Courtesy of peaceinchrist.wordpress.com

I carved our initials in the Tree of Life.

What value has love in ‘death do us part?’

Is love a flash of light

in the long darkness of night?

 

Flesh to flesh in being born

then death without memory

unable to behold

to recall at will in deep detail.

 

Will thoughts become ashes

that are scattered in a soft wind?

My love to you dearest one

is forever more

upon the Tree of Eternal Life.

 

From the first garden

of eternal promise.

A promise of Love

never lost.

 

Love that is always remembered

in the heart of our Lord

that will never be lost

or forgotten

in the passing of time. 

 

“The Master Speaks of God’s Love” copyright 2008 (Revised) John J. Rigo upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

“………..pointing to a star”

 

 

The night sky was a deep black with blazing stars

over the Master and His disciples

this particular night along the sea of Galilee.

It was a time of quiet contemplation of the beauty of God’s work.

 

Within the group of His disciples

one disciple had a troubling question.

With reverence he approached the Master with his question.

“Does God’s Love for us have bounds when remembering our sins in His Eternal Memory?”

asked the disciple quietly as to not disturb the other men in the group.

 

The Master lifted His Head toward the night sky

and pointed His finger to a bright star saying,

“As you look upon the stars in the night sky

many have long changed in form

and are no more. 

 

The distance is so great in the travel of that light

that we still see those suns prior to their changing of form. 

So it is in the breath of God’s Love for us

it is also beyond the width

depth and height of such distances from us.

 

Since His Love for us is unconditional

so is His memory of our sins.

In asking His forgiveness of our sins

their memory no longer exists in eternity.”

So spoke that night

the Master of My Life. 

“The Eternal Kiss” John J. Rigo copyright 2005 “Roses Amidst Thorns”

 

 

Courtesy of Favin.com

I kiss thee

with my heart

upon my lips.

 

My breath held

in anticipation

of the moment.

 

Held so long

afraid to take

that next breath.

 

for this magic

overtakes me

in this moment

forever locked

in your embrace.

 

 

“Validation” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo, Published Poetry Book, “Roses Amidst Thorns”

 

“Validation” a published poet in 2005 by John J. Rigo
Picture Courtesy of pathguy.com

Upon death

the Greeks were not known

for writing an Epitaph on a man.

 

They only asked one question

of those around him

the question was

“Did he have Passion?”

 

I have become validated this day. 

“The Abuser” copyright 2009 John J. Rigo, Revised upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

 

“The Abuser” A Poem by John J. Rigo

The words were hammered blows to my heart.

A stranger would dare not speak such words to me

crushing fists would they find

quickly pounding their bodies.

The slap of the glove upon their face

to face certain death on the field of honor.

 

The answer to your acts are simple enough

you are an abuser.

Your love of God and Jesus

but a front

a lie to all.

 

Deep within your heart lies hate

pouring on one who has loved you

beyond all others.

A faithful friend

you no longer are to me.

 

I have seen your soul.

It is dark

black 

ridden with the shit of the world

upon your lips.

 

Oh where

oh where

did my love go.

 

You are without honor

heroism

or truth

in your declared love.

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

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.

“Trying to Make Sense of My Life” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Courtesy of asmp.org
“One of my favorite pictures off the internet.”
Looking back on my own Youth.

I found myself trying to make sense of my life.

Reviewing each turn

each twist

each decision

that brought me to today.

 

I thought of others I shared my life with.

Many are gone now

from this earth.

Many I miss terribly.

Many I wish I could talk to today.

 

I thought today

of the women in my life.

Each unique.

Each did I love with passion.

 

In my life

each person

in some way

chiseled-pointed me

to who I am today.

 

Did these humans

in my life

truly love me?

 

I have come to the place

that I realized they did not.

At first it was a devastating thought.

 

A light of thought

a brilliance of warmth

entered my heart.

 

It was my Lord and Savior

Who loved me all along

the path of my life.

 

Showing His Love for me.

Carrying me through the darkness.

Blessing my life

in spite of my adversities.

Bless His Name

this day.

“Our Day” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Roses Amidst Thorns”

 

 

 

Courtesy of footage.shutterstock.com

A bright blue sky day.

Water with a spray of diamonds.

Rays of warmth upon my face.

 

You at my side

with that special smile

that I love above all expressions

that pass over your face each day.

 

Let us hold this close to us

in what seems not enough time for

just the two of us.

 

Cherish this day

love this day

with all we have.

 

For we will never know

how many

if any

of these days are before us.

 

We have each other

with our love for one another.

What could be worth

more than just this day?

“The Judgement of Our Gifts” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Courtesy of nurpublishers.com

One day

We will walk the path of light.

Unsure if our Lord will be pleased with us.

Will we be met with an embrace of Love

or will we see disappointment in the Face of our Saviour?

Least we forget the gifts of our Lord.

Will we be judged

on how we shared His gifts?

“The Journey” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Roses Amidst Thorns”

…..is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013

 

A ship in the sea of life

riding each wave of life

seeking the warm sun of each day.

 

The beauty of each dream as night falls

is never lost as it heads

toward the curve of each horizon.

 

Storms will blow

onward do we flow

in love and courage

by His hand.

 

Tomorrow brings the knowing in His love

the vastness of the ocean

is not so alone.

 

As long as we believe

we will never be alone.

 

For His love

surpasses all of this.

 

This and time beyond

this brief sea of life.          

                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                

“Footprints Upon The Landscape” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

 

Courtesy of martybugs.net

The sand is pushed aside

as my feet are placed upon the landscape.

My footprints quickly disappear

as I move forward in my quest.

 

Blowing winds leave the mark of my path

but for a second

a mark of passing that becomes neither

a longing memory

or a recall by the passing landscape.

 

Are we too

a grain of sand

lost to a moment of time?