Saturday, December 26, 2009

Tappan poet designated as 1st 'Poet of the Year' in Orangetown


Who

Who heeds the words of this poet
Who listens to these echoes of heart
Who feels the yearnings and the fire
Who sees the vision held clear

Is it the wind that whispers its own song
Is it the sun that warms and nourishes
Is it the moon that sheds its light
Is it the star that guides our way
Is it the stranger who extends a hand
Is it the child who gives a knowing smile
Is it the soul in its moment of call
Is it God in all present grace

Who heeds the words of this poet
Who listens to these echoes of heart
Who feels the yearnings and the fire
Who sees the vision held clear.

Rose Marie Raccioppi



Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Laurel Wreath, Pastel, Rosalba Giovanna Carriera, Italian, 1665-1757.


In Grateful Acknowledgment of All Who Choose to Listen


Tappan poet designated as 1st 'Poet of the Year' in Orangetown | LoHud.com | The Journal News

By Akiko Matsuda • amatsuda@lohud.com • December 24, 2009

RESOLUTION NO. 733 CREATE/POET LAUREATE OF THE YEAR DESIGNATE/ROSE MARIE RACCIOPPI

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilwoman Manning and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the creation of a “Poet Laureate of the Year” is hereby created and Rose Marie Raccioppi is hereby designated “Poet Laureate of the Year” for 2009 - 20010.

Ayes: Councilpersons Maturo, Manning, Troy, Low-Hogan, Supervisor Kleiner

Noes: None


TAPPAN — As an educational consultant, child advocate and environmental activist, Rose Marie Raccioppi has spoken at various meetings and workshops over the years.

Her presentations often started or ended with her poems related to the themes of her talk.

To Raccioppi, who is also a published poet as well as an artist, her poems are an important means of communication.

"All my poetry has an acoustical balance, which means when you listen to it ... it engages both left and right brains. And therefore, my goal is to leave something that creates integration," Raccioppi said.

Raccioppi has been designated by the Orangetown Town Board as the first Poet of the Year. Details of her official activities in the coming year still need to be finalized.

Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner said the recognition was well-deserved.

"It is certainly an appropriate honor for Rose Marie not only because of her work but her community involvement," Kleiner said.

Town Board member Michael Maturo, who initiated the creation of the position and nominated Raccioppi, said he was hoping to enhance Orangetown's artistic strength by recognizing talented people in the community.

"I hope Rose Marie's work will inspire people in town ... and make them realize that there's a lot of creativity in all of us," Maturo said.

Raccioppi, a mother of three grown children, started her career as a schoolteacher but later decided to dedicate her skills and talents as a private educational consultant. One of her focuses has been to work with children with learning disabilities, based on her belief that they are differently-abled, not disabled.

Raccioppi said her breast cancer diagnosis 26 years ago was a moment of awakening, prompting her to shift priorities in her life.

"I felt that I faced death, and now I was going to face life in its entirety," Raccioppi said. "That gave me permission to fully embrace and do what was in my heart and soul."

She has been widely recognized for her community service, her work as an educator, and her leadership benefitting children and families with special needs.

Raccioppi said, as the poet of the year, she was thinking about creating a spot in a public space where she can post a monthly poem as well as accepting poems from the public.

"I want the poetry for the people to be a spontaneous expression to represent their passion, to represent what they think whatever their plea is, whatever their absolute joy is. Poetry is everything and anything," Raccioppi said. "I believe, if we reflect, if we are willing to record, we begin to get a sense of priority and direction."

And may we all find the poet within,
the voice of
JOY, PEACE and GOOD WILL TOWARD ALL .




A Gift

for anyone who enjoys the play of words

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.
~Robert Frost
~
and so the echoes of heart, soul, and quest, be heard...

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11 comments:

Brian Miller said...

ah, you are a gift...and i do listen to the words of your heart! hope your holidays were grand!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

I do....me...who.
I listen and feel.
And I thank you.

Mike said...

You won the award as the Tappan poet? Awesome!!

Is Tappan near the Tappan Zee Bridge?

The words of this poem were awesome!

Gail said...

Hi RoseMarie-

I read the article - well written - well deserved. And do I heed-listen-feel? Oh yes, your words are my soul spoken - your voice is within mine - your heart dreams as mine does - your wisdom so close to my own - and your courage is my inspiration -
Love Gail
peace......

R.Dress said...

Congrats! My mom was so excited about reading this in the paper that she saved it and gave it to me on Christmas eve. She can't stop talking about how you've become a powerful force in Tappan, and at the town meetings.
Keep fighting the good fight Rosemarie!!!

Otin:
Tappan is a small hamlet nestled in the Hudson Valley established in 1686 by Dutch settlers and is about 5-6 miles south of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Shellbelle said...

What a wonderful article for a wonderful poet and I'll chime in with the others — I do!

Wishing you much joy in the New Year.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your award!

Bernie said...

Congratulations on your award and I so listen to my heart as I read your words.....I am so blessed to have met you in 2009 and look forward to 2010 and all your beautiful, meaningful poems to come.....:-) Hugs

Karen said...

Congratulations on your well-deserved honor, Rose Marie!

Lynn T said...

Oh so beautiful! I listen, to the poet who reminds me of the voice in the wind, the loving touch of another, and my own inner voice. Thank you for sharing yet another inspiring piece!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

A most special THANK YOU...
Brian,
Bonnie,
Otin,
Gail,
Robert,
Rhonda,
John,
Bernie,
Karen,
Lynn,

You generous words of praise, your loving support and your friendship are indeed the most special of gifts received. You each are treasured for who you are and what you have chosen to share with one another. We are blessed to be a connected blog community.

I look forward to catching up on the many posts I have missed.

Much love,

Rose Marie