Wednesday, January 6, 2010

To Unfold


This new year to unfold
Its gifts yet to behold
For this moment in grace known

For the grandeur of nature ever shown
For the snows of Winter now blanketing all

For the budding of life Spring to call
For the beauty Summer brings to you
For the splendor each Fall in brilliant hue
Signs, markings, the stars, the zodiac to chart

The NOW in Presence, each vision its start

The moment, day and passing year

In gratitude for life evermore dear

A knowing of an inner spirit of calm

Love and faith shielding me from harm
Cold be winter's winds now that blow

Upon my face sun's noon warming glow

In joyful reverence this day gifted new

Creation's love, praise and favor on to you.


Rose Marie Raccioppi



Zodiac
http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/astrology/aries.htm

Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the heavens through the constellations that divide the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude. The zodiac is recognized as the first known celestial coordinate system. Babylonian astronomers developed the zodiac of twelve signs. The etymology of the term zodiac is that it comes from the Latin zōdiacus, from the Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος], meaning "circle of animals", derived from ζῴδιον, the diminutive of ζῷον "animal". However, the classical Greek zodiac also includes signs (also constellations) that are not represented by animals (e.g., Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini and for some Libra). Another suggested etymology is that the Greek term is cognate with the Sanskrit sodi, denoting "a path", i.e., the path through which the Sun travels.





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

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


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."

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...
Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
THE WIND AND THE WILLOW
Limited Edition Hardcover
Softcover
ISBN-13: 9781604744545
directly from Publish America.
Click on title, place title or my name in search bar of Publish America Entry Page
available also on line booksellers nationally and internationally
including Barnes and Noble and Amazon
Thank you for your order.

8 comments:

Brian Miller said...

ah the winds are blowing the warmth of the sun from my face today...blistery. though your words are warm. smiles.

Mike said...

I hope it is a good new year. It is starting out a little cold for me!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Brian, At this very moment winds are making themselves present, known and felt. BRrrrrrrrr...

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Otin, "...a little too cold for me!" - you certainly are not alone on this one. Using lots of layers these days...holding to warm thoughts with you included! Thanks for being here.

Gail said...

Hi RoseMarie-

I am braced for the January wind of Winter's force as this decade came in fiercely. We are holding on together because alone, we would be blown away. From your space please hold on with us.

Love to you
Gail
peace......

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Gail, This evening is sooooo cold - and dearest Gail, I am right there with you - warm loved filled hugs to all!

Anne said...

Hi Rose Marie,
Your words bring warmth to the soul of a bright and happy year. Warmth is needed. Brrr! It is cold here in Florida. This morning there was frost on the cars, and even on the grass. Where did Florida's warmth go!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Dear Anne, Mother nature is certainly showing her upper hand. This may be the time we have to listen to the messages of the wind. Warm thoughts sent to you on this YES, BRrrrrrrrr morning.