Texas Poetry

"Awaken To Love" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:00:48 +0000

"Sunshine filled the room"

Last night a dream entered my peace.

It was you sobbing.

Crying for what could have been

but it was not.

Outside of your world everything seemed perfect.

To others your world was without want.

It was not.

A part of your soul was seeking

but not finding

some special part of understanding.

The part that was compassion

of tenderness

that was not in your moment of being.

Was there hope to bind this wound

a wound so deep?

My arms reached for you.

Held you tight with lips to your ear.

Whispered I love you

I care

I know your pain

and I will always be here for you.

You slowly smiled.

Sunshine filled the room.

"The Master Speaks of God’s Love" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming poetry book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:50 +0000

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 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.

"A Conversation about Life and Death" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:44 +0000

"A Review of the Master's Series of Poetry"

The Master’s hands were strong and hard

from years of work as a carpenter

just like his father.

The creation of His hands had a gentle quality

such as the toy camel and shepherd

He was crafting this night.

His sister had begged Him to make a toy for her child.

With love and humor, He worked several nights.

In the back of the villa, the room was small and cramped,

making the carving difficult as the oil lamp light flickered.

Entering the doorway with a quiet sweep of the door blanket

came His sister’s oldest son.

Many questions burned in the mind

of this young man on this night.

Quietly, he approached the Master

so as to not disturb His carving.

The young man whispered,

“Master, do you have time to speak with me?”

Gently and with love the Master set the little wooden carving

aside and reached for the boy’s shoulder saying,

“What is troubling you this night,

son of my sister?”

The boy replied,

“I am afraid about death

and where I will go when I die,

since no one alive

has ever been to the place that dead people go,

and returned,

how am I to know what to expect?”

With patience and the deepest of kindness

toward the concerns of the young man,

the Master spoke,

“Telling humanity of the world beyond death

would be like explaining

the sight of sunrise or sunset to a person

who had always been blind”

He further explained,

“Beyond our lifetime is a world inconceivable to the

senses of man,

beyond every gift rendered in this world around us.

It is a world of being in the midst of eternal love

and never fearing again.

It is knowing light beyond any light we now know of

in this world.

It is never being alone again,

but cherished in the arms of a mother,

so will it be in the arms of our God forever

in eternal love,

peace and happiness.”

So He spoke to me,

the Master of my life.

"What Is The Secret Key To Eternal Life?" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy" The Seventh poem of the Master’s Series

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:55 +0000

"One of Seven Poems of "The Master's Series of Poetry."

On this day

the Master revealed

His greatest gift to mankind.

This gift was rendered on a mountain of stone

reflected on a setting sun

to a multitude of many

in one of the many lessons

given to multitudes in those years.

The question

that came toward the end of that day

was, “ Master, what is the greatest gift

that God gives to all of us?” asked the young

man in the multitude of that day.

The Master replied,

“The greatest gift that my Father gives to all

is the secret of Forgiveness.

In rendering forgiveness to ones self

and also forgiveness of others

does a sinner reveal

the keys to heaven

and the eternal Love of our Father.

Forgiveness assures the eternal love of the Father

and being in the arms of His Love forever.”

So said the Master of my life

on this day.

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

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:50 +0000

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.

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

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:54:48 +0000

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.

“A Thank You” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:05:23 +0000

It is the twilight of my life.

It is a time that I wish to render a “Thank You”

to all those who have passed in my life

who rendered me genuine love and friendship.

To those who were there as friends

when I badly needed their encouragement

and their love.

Thank you for sharing your hearts and minds with me.

“I Too, Fight Darkness and Discouragement” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:48 +0000

Of Special Note: This poem was originally posted on May 19th, 2010. Reading it again today respired me to continually attempt to inspire and assist others in my WordPress family who are fighting this dreaded disease. I thought I would repost it again for today in my sharing with you, my readers. As you can see, as with many of us, fighting Depression can be a daily task in our lives.

I too fight darkness and discouragement.

Yesterday I prepared to permanently close this web blog.

A withdrawal from a calling of many years.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I felt my work was not doing any good out there.

I felt the friends of my life

those that truly rendered me their love

where long gone from this earth.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I found myself wanting to withdrawn to myself.

In reviewing my life

I found other places in my past

that seemed to be happier places

then where I was now.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

There are many that have hurt me

through the years.

Step-children, who never said a simple

thank you for given them

many years of my life

without so much as a hug.

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

Friends that I looked up to

who have disappointed me greatly.

Individuals that the process

of forgiveness of their stupidity

would not come easily to me.

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

It was 1:30 a.m. this morning

that I awoke with a start

It was my Lord calling to me.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A calling to me to continue to share

His gifts to all that would read my work.

So here we are again

you the reader

and my poems.

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

Poems telling of my own journey.

A journey that brought me

to the most important place in my life.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A place with my Lord

in revealing to me

His personal Love for me.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Blessings to you all in your journey’s of this day.

It will be a most beautiful day in the glory of God’s

Vision for each one of us.

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:32 +0000

Picture couresy of Bing

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

Multicolored lighting amidst the sound

of rhythmic thunder pounded the huge hall.

The laughter and droning noises had a hollow, metallic sound.

The human Ferris wheel was in motion around the center spoke.

Quick glaces, smiles…some real, other’s set in concrete faces.

There was quiet desperation set in the eyes of many.

Touching in passing moments of movement were soft, warm bodies

pressed against arms, hips brushing fingertips.

Out of loneliness I sought this place,

a passenger on a self-made time machine.

I am tired of too many futures coming to this moment.

I want the warmth of my youth.

Child-book romance, where just the touch of a hand,

freezes time in its beauty.

Primitive drums change tempo,

the words are lost to the sensation of physical self.

Reality is moved to the edge of pulsating light beneath

the feet of bodies in tune with the sound.

Paired dancers locked in self-love,

and unaware of each other.

A checkerboard of kings and queens without mates,

in a game without end.

Surrender, whispers the voice within.

A reflection on a mirrored wall looks intently,

at a standing figure.

A misplaced look of aging shown in

salt and peppered hair, with growing signs of age,

around the eyes,

the dream of youth shatters.

The Guardian of Time Present,

leaves through the portal marked “Exit.”

The dream is no more.

“Empty Words” copyright 2012 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:54:33 +0000

Your lips move forming words of love.

They seem to be words without substance.

I tried to believe in the truth of them.

I now realize you do not look upon me

as your Knight in shining armor.

Nothing can be sadder than not having love in life.

Still I believe in love.

I have seen glimpses of love in my life.

There were moments that such love

touched my life.

I now believe love in its real meaning

will be with my Lord.

I now understand

that in spite of all its sham

life teaches us

that love indeed

is a rare thing.

It is a gift

that is given to a few.