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Poem Reviews:
Poem: Until Snow Falls
Kaci, this is beautiful and you can tell you’re writing straight from the heart. Something about the rhythm of the piece makes me feel like I’m reading Robert Frost or Yeats – it’s like you’re writing from another time (in the best of ways)
~ Camilla, Writer
This is gorgeous, Kaci. It feels from another time and place, but is relevant to now. Great work here!
~ Lee, Writer
Poetry Form, A Kace of Soda
Neat structure. Goes to show, we don’t have to stick with what others in the past have dreamed up.
~ A. C. Cargill, Author
After reading Emily Dickinson
What in Heaven’s name is so different between what she writes and what you write? Yet she is world-renowned.
~ Penny, Poet
Review for Haunting Like That:
“Haunting Like That” penned by Kaci Rigney and illustrated by Kolleen Singleton, is a delightful trip to the dark side. An accomplished poet, Kaci brings the reader through a maze of haunting-full sights, sounds, and feelings, utilizing various poetry forms. Those who enjoy Halloween and appreciate themes of the unexpected will be drawn into this wonderful witch’s brew of twists and turns, things in the shadows, and the stuff of the boogeyman under our beds.
~ Shari Becket, Poet & Musician
Review for The Faithful Like That
Thank you for the privilege of reading these poems. If only there were lots more people in the world with such a focus on God’s ways, with such a devoted heart for God’s will to be done, the world would be a much better place for all of God’s creation. You have woven together the human foibles revealed in our ancient Scriptures with the ageless yearnings of the modern-day human spirit. Thank you!
~ Craig Tigerman, Poet
Reviews for Chasing Love
From the very start of Chasing Love, Kaci presents the poetic picture of the fickle nature of love. Running uphill toward who-knows-what over the horizon. Her preface described her journey with poetry forms – an integral hook for the reader, creating a connection with you, as well as sparking, “Oh, so there’s an intelligence behind poetry – not just emotion or rhyme? I did a bit of hunt-and-peck before I read through them all! Like trying different chocolates from a Russell Stover box! As an author/poet myself, I was immediately drawn to Google to look up some of the styles and inspired to create some goodies of my own! I loved the low-right chapter headings in the lilting font. Again, it’s all about creating the “mood” with poetry, isn’t it? I felt the range of relationships from ‘Unrequited Love’ and rejection’s pain with being replaced and gossip…to longing for and dreaming of. I loved the title ‘Imagined Memories’ which addresses the before and after ideology. Kaci touched on friendship and kindness from the beloved and the wonder of that haven of togetherness. I really loved the variety of styles combined with the well-rounded expressions of love’s facets and complications. One has to draw the reader from the critical thinking mode into the imaginative emotional part of the brain – the neglected part in our snarky society at present! Blessed relief! Thank you for that! Very well done!
~ Rebecca Lamarche, Author & Poet
A Love Trio, “Chasing Love,” by Kaci Rigney, deals with the emotions of unrequited love. These sonnets and other poetry forms sway the reader into thoughtful introspection into one of our deepest yearnings—needing love. I enjoyed the delicate discourse of broken hearts, imagined memories, dreams of love, intense longing, and parting. Kaci almost screams the phrase, “Love me as I love you.”
~ Shari Beckett, Musician & Poet
Review for Finding Love:
“Finding Love,” by Kaci Rigney, and beautifully illustrated by her daughter, Kolleen Singleton, is a written dance of love. She explores the beauty of two becoming one as “a pair with perfect harmony… a duet for eternity.” Her lovingly crafted words give pause for us to hear, “You play my heartstrings well, just like a symphony.” This collection of poems is like an exquisite waltz in an elegant garden.
~ Shari Beckett, Musician & Poet
Review for Losing Love:
“Losing Love,” by Kaci Rigney and illustrated by her daughter, Kolleen Singleton, consists of various forms of poetry and song lyrics. This collection stirs emotions with all-consuming grief, shattered dreams, and broken love. Kaci’s declaration of regret over lost love is a great summation: “You left me lonely.”
~ Shari Beckett, Musician & Poet
Until Snow Falls
~ Kaci Rigney (C) 2024
I embrace the sun
Until snow falls in Chelsea,
A-drift in city streets.
When woefulness chills and bemoans.
’Twas then, death’s bleak stun
Took you far away from me.
And like winter depletes,
Stole the warmth right out of my bones.
Some tried to help. None
Could answer my tearful plea.
So my heart just retreats
Into its shattered shell and groans.
Write with Me, Poetry
~ Kaci Rigney 4/4/2022
Metaphor
Simile
Write with me
Poetry
The verses
Ascending
Cadences
Descending
The soundscapes
fricatives
sibilance
and plosives
Beautiful
Consonants
Assonance
Consonance
A poet’s
Symphony
Through vivid
Imagery
What I Like 🙂
Kaci Rigney
Writing releases
Reading relaxes
Playing piano pleases
Drawing delights
Singing satisfies
Photography fascinates
Music’s magic
The Beach
Kaci Rigney
Ocean waves and palm trees
Hot sand and a summer breeze
Walking hand entwined with hand
The one I love with me
Hearing children at their play
Watching kayaks on the bay
Bare feet sliding through shifting sand
My heart is feeling free
The blissful sounds of crashing waves
The rocky cliffs and silent caves
The sight of water touching land
That’s where I long to be
Dyslexia
Kaci Rigney
A dyslexic reader, yet I love to write.
I mix up the letters; it makes me uptight.
Calvary and Cavalry mix up, and I find.
It takes a while for my mind to unwind.
Trying to author a book, come what may,
I flip-flop the letters, transposing all-day
Writing poems and songs and prose, all the same
But I’m not detoured by dyslexia’s game.
Elements
Kaci Rigney
His blood is like rain
It washes clean
All that it touches
His grace is like the wind
Strong or a whispered breeze
It moves those captured in it
His mercy is like an avalanche
It overwhelms
With great force
His love is like an ocean
Great and wide
Unfathomably deep
His Spirit is like fire
Burning away dross
Leaving precious glistening gold
May Day
Kaci Rigney
Dance around the Maypole
Dance around and sing
Put flowers in your hair
And sing about the Spring
Young love and babies come
And Winter’s put away
Love your lad and kiss your lass
For Spring is here, May Day
Calaveras Big Trees
Kaci Rigney
Out under the stars
Groves of the biggest trees I’ve ever seen
Looking for bears
And deer in the clearing in meadows green
Squirrels climbing trees
Chasing each other higher and higher
Singing camp songs
With many more around the big campfire
Brothers fishing
In the Stanislaus River, ‘neath the pines
Dad with the boys
Baiting worms on hooks and casting lines
Me with my Mommy
Swimming in the shallows and splashing around
Making up songs
Mommy reading, yet enjoying the sound
Skipping smooth rocks
Hiking the trails back to our campsite
Laughter ringing
Is there another campfire tonight?
Finding a friend
Using sticks and pinecones for little toys
Out on the dirt
Dad pitches our tent with all of the boys
Mom makes lunch
We all scatter while she’s at this chore
She calls “soup’s on”
We eat it all. My brothers ask for more
Searching campsites
North Grove, South Grove, but Squaw Hollow’s the best
Whenever we’ve camped
Calaveras Big Trees – a notch above the rest
Grateful Gratitude fills my heart, and I feel so humbled. My arms wrap around your neck as tears fill my eyes. Even if we're not together, this image holds. You mean the world to me. "I'm grateful," my heart sighs. Would that selfish hordes be as grateful as I. Then hatred would expire and love would invade. With hearts full of gratitude, our smiles would shine. Our world would find peace and joy, and love would pervade. ©️ Kaci Rigney, July 5, 2023.
You Know Me
Kaci Rigney
Over, under, around, though
You know me, every part
All my ways, old and new
You comprehend my heart
Awareness so deep
I never could hide
My memories keep
My dreams confide
Knowledge so great
Memorize and hold
Me, in every state
Crazy or controlled
Wickedness or good
You love me still
Where I have stood
Every moment real
You have loved me
So I will love you
You have known me
I long to know you
Uncle Sam
Kaci Rigney
I’m in a jam
Uncle Sam.
And although,
I know,
You don’t give a hoot
I’m short,
You know, of something
Called loot.
Lettuce, bread,
Dough, moo-lah
To have some
I’d say, “Hallelujah!”
But my pockets are empty
My bank account too
Got a few pennies
But you want them, too
What do I do?
In the jam I’m in
Uncle Sam
I know
You are gonna win.
I’ll pay this year
And then one more
If not, another ten!
So Few and Far Between
Kaci Rigney
So few and far between
The days I count so rare
That you are here beside me
And my heart is laid out bare
A rhythm fascinating
Hearts beating wild and free
Just being in your presence
My lock, your only key
I faint e’er for that day
When love is born anew
The glorious time slowing
Our times so rare, and few
But soaring to the heights
Abandon sweet and wild
Like children at their play
And laughter of the child
Those days though passing brief
The ones e’er far between
Are sweetest in your arms
Than any fair sweet dream
My dear, I love you so
My heart e’er yearns for you
Like flowers long for the rain
And grass for morning dew
So run to me, dear, swiftly
I race to cling to you
You are my heart’s fair treasure
A love forever true
Abandoning Doubt
Kaci Rigney
Abandoning doubt;
Following a wayward pull
To the very brink of love—
This ness is calling me
To leave the shelter of my mind
Leaving fear behind
Stretching in faith to find you
Turning from what had bound me
Searching, I found you near
Oh, never let go of my hand
Excerpt from A Love Trio: Losing Love
Love Lost
(C) Kaci Rigney 2023
he strums his guitar
lonely and melancholy
remembering her
she plays their love song
her piano out of tune
remembering him
singing softly there
both thinking of the other
wond’ring what went wrong
tears creep down unchecked
does our love still have a chance?
their phones sit untouched
she gazes out the window
his guilty hands fall silent
Fools
Kaci Rigney
Those fools are just fools,
No matter what they do.
Be wise when you approach
Or they’ll make a fool of you.
Listen carefully,
Then just back away
When they prove they are fools
By what they have to say.
If you don’t know the answers
Don’t speak. Keep it cool.
Just keep your mouth shut
To prove you’re no fool.
With My Love
Kaci Rigney
With my love, I’ve gone away
Respite I need within
Troubles hemmed me all around
But peace, I find with him
Just the chance to rest a while
In the shelter of his arms
Is a balm unto my heart
He lures me with his charms
With my love, my days are bright
Even in the thund’ring storm
With my love, the night is bliss
His arms to keep me warm
Just a glance into his eyes
My troubles fade to none
In his face, a love so fair
And love, bright as the sun
Gone Away
Kaci Rigney
Gone away
My love has gone away
Far away from me
Far away
My love is far away
Yet in my heart is he
In my heart
My love, you’re in my heart
And my heart is thine
My heart is thine
My love, my heart is thine
And, my love, you are mine
You are mine
O, my love, you are mine
Please come home to me
Please come home
O, my love, please, come home
Your face I long to see
Writing music and poetry has been pretty much a lifetime pastime. The very first song I wrote with my guitar. Although I had yet to have any experience in the world of love, I was (and still am) a romantic at heart. 🙂
A Fool for Loving You
Words & Music: Kaci Rigney
Copyright 1979
I called you up the other day
Just to see how you’ve been
And talking with you, let me know
I’m in love with you again
We hadn’t talked for a while
I thought that we were through
But talking with you, let me know
My love for you is true
Every time I hear your voice
I know it must be true
I’m just a tenderhearted fool
A fool for loving you
I saw you just the other day
With a lady by your side
You’ve got to come on back to me
My love, I just can’t hide
All this time, we’ve been apart
I’ve thought of all we’ve shared
You’ve got to come on back to me
You knew I always cared
Every time I see your face
I know it must be true
I’m just a tenderhearted fool
A fool for loving you
Memories of you are coming back
They’re distant, but they’re clear
The way you held me, oh, so tight
I want you, oh, so near
All the time we spent alone
The things we used to do
The way you held me, oh, so tight
I wish that we weren’t through
Every time I think of you
I know it must be true
I’m just a tenderhearted fool
A fool for loving you
Now my life is just a mess
There’s nothing more to do
But sit around and cry a lot
Because I can’t have you
Every time I think of you
I know it must be true
I’m just a tenderhearted fool
A fool for loving you
I was so excited when I finished this song. I ran out with my guitar and played it for my dad. He listened intently and then said, “That’s nice. Now, why don’t you write some good lyrics.” I wasn’t crushed. I knew what Daddy meant. So off I ran to my room, where I wrote Christian lyrics to the same melody. I came back out just about a half-hour later with the new lyrics. They are as follows…
My Life is Safe With You
Words & Music: Kaci Rigney
Copyright 1979
I prayed to You the other night
To tell You of my sin
And talking with You, let me know
You’ve forgivin’ me again
I hadn’t prayed for a while
My sin was all I knew
But talkin’ with You, let me know
You’ve cleansed me through and through
Every time I pray to You
I know it must be true
That now and forevermore
My life is safe with You
You walk beside me every day
You make my eyes to see
And when those troubled times arise
You up and carry me
I know abundant life is mine
My dreams You can fulfill
If only I will stay with You
In the center of Your will
Every time I walk with You
I know it must be true
That now and forevermore
My life is safe with You
Memories of sin are coming back
The pain of guilt so near
But I don’t have to think of them
You took away the fear
I can’t wait to see the home
That You’ve prepared for me
I’m glad I gave You my whole life
It’s Yours eternally
Every time I think of You
I know it must be true
That now and forevermore
My life is safe with You
My life no longer is a mess
I’ve got so much to do
Like tell the whole world that You care
And give the praise to You
Every time I praise Your name
I know it must be true
That now and forevermore
My life is safe with You
Consume Me
Kaci Rigney 2000
The deepest part of me
The part I like the hide
The secret places of my heart
My wicked, selfish side
I hold now in my hand
And I offer it to You
Please take it from me now, O God
And give me more of You
Consume me
Consume me with Your fire
Consume me until all I am
Is all that You desire
Take what’s in my hand
And throw it far from You
Forgive me, Lord, forget my sin
And make my heart brand new
For now, I humbly stand
Your presence to pursue
So consume me with Your holy fire
And give me more of You
Consume me
Consume me with Your fire
Consume me until all I am
Is all the You desire
Long to Love
Kaci Rigney 2000
You compose songs for me every day
And You sing them over me
You write my name upon Your palm
And You woo me patiently
Your tender words, they flood my soul
Until all I want is You
You enfold me in Your sweet caress
And You draw me near to You
And I long to see You
And I long to hear You
And I long to know You, Lord
I long to love You more
When I can’t seem to find my way
You say, “Come follow me”
You hold my hand, so I won’t fall
And You keep Your eyes on me
You dance for joy when I say “Yes”
And You weep when I say “No”
You bear me up on eagle’s wings
When I am all alone
And I long to see You
And I long to hear You
And I long to know You, Lord
I long to love You more
Crown You with Praise
Kaci Rigney 1998
You are the Lord
You are the One
You are the King
The Ancient of Days
You are awesome
You are powerful
You are the Savior
We crown You with Praise
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, we crown You with praise
O, we crown You; we crown You with praise
O, we crown You; we crown You with praise
Bring Me to the Place
Kaci Rigney 2000
O bring me to the place
Where my spirit sees Your face.
A place where sin’s forgotten
In the shadow of Your grace.
Into Your presence where
Nothing ever could compare.
O bring me to that place
And meet me there.
You are the Lord
Kaci Rigney 2000
We worship You
We bow before Your throne
We praise You
Our lives are not our own
Our hands, we raise
Our souls cry out
Your name we praise
Your glory, we shout
You are worthy
You are holy
You are mighty
You are lovely
You are truth
You are joy
You are peace
You are love
You are the Lord
You are the Lord
We honor You
We lift up our voice
We love You
Our spirits rejoice
Our faces raise
Our voices sing
Your name we praise
Our glorious King
You are awesome
You are righteous
You are sovereign
You are wondrous
You are good
You are light
You are great
You are love
You are the Lord
You are the Lord
The Heavens are Telling
Kaci Rigney 2000
The heavens are telling the glory of God
The sun, moon, and stars of the night.
The planets revolve in the palm of His hand
Proclaiming His power and might.
The earth is resounding in praise to the Lord
The mountains, the valleys, the seas.
The whole universe is alive with His praise
Creation sings His majesty.
Why shouldn’t I sing out His praise?
Why shouldn’t I proclaim His glory?
Why should the rocks cry out His name?
Why should creation praise Him for me?
Creation rejoices in Almighty God
The angels obey each command
Yet neither creation nor angels above
His mercy for me, understand
He fashioned and formed me before I was born
He knew me and called me by name
And taking upon Him the sins of the world
He died, my soul to reclaim
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Why shouldn’t I sing out His praise?
Why shouldn’t I proclaim His glory?
Why should the rocks cry out His name?
Why should creation praise Him for me?
O Lord
Kaci Rigney 2000
O Lord, How lovely is Your name
Your glory, we proclaim
Throughout the earth
O Lord, how righteous are Your ways
Through never-ending days
We’ll praise Your worth
We sing:
“Holy, holy,” forever, we proclaim
“O holy, holy, the name above all names!”
O Lord, the angels sing Your praise
Your might and worth they raise
In heav’n above.
O Lord, the earth and universe
Repeat the holy verse
That God is love.
They sing:
“Holy, holy,” forever, we proclaim
“O holy, holy, the name above all names!”
Inside Out
Kaci Rigney
Inside out, You know me
When I rise and when I sleep
When I laugh, Your smile I see
When I cry, my tears You keep
You hold me when I’m scared
You’re with me all my days
You hear me, all I’ve shared
You love me in spite of my ways
For all this and so much more
I love You more than before
Mercies new You give each day
You forgive and wash me clean
You hear me when I pray
When I’m weak on You, I lean
Engraved my name upon Your hand
On Your heart, I’ll always be
Your thoughts of me outnumber sand
You write songs and sing over me
For all this and so much more
I love You more than before
Give Me Jesus
Kaci Rigney
IN everything that I do,
THE Lord be with me,
MORNING, noon, evening, and night.
WHEN I’m happy or afraid,
I know I need to trust You;
RISE, lift my face, and
GIVE You my every waking moment.
ME, my dreams, hopes, longings, I give You,
JESUS.
YOU who don’t yet know Christ,
CAN know Him today;
HAVE hope for the future,
ALL forgiven and washed clean.
THIS rebirth of hope and life turns you from a
WORLD full of sin’s alluring enticements.
GIVE Jesus all you are. Allow
ME to introduce my dearest friend,
JESUS.
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Kaci Rigney 