Veterans Day Tribute 2019...

Words delivered In tribute this Veterans Day, 2019

The gifts of LIFE with vision blessed and bold

This the giving within each Veteran's story told

Loyalty, dedication, ascending care be they known

This in valor by our sons and daughters shown

Courage to hold to freedom's call and light

In perseverance the challenge be it day or night

Fortitude, strength, imbued with heart's noble call

Sacrifices of body, limb, in this a growing toll

And when returned to home's welcomed shore and land

Let us in caring response put support in command

It is resolve that humanity calls to be known

Within the grasps of faith, love and TRUTH be shown

The dream yet dreamed shall unfold

And PEACE to be our story told

This gift of knowing to mark the rising way

And we in tribute give honor to our Veterans this very day.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Indeed a heart touching gathering of community in honor and in gratitude for 

OUR VETERANS, Tappan, New York

As Poet Laureate, Orangetown, New York, I delivered these words ... ever with respect, ever with love, ever in praise... They shall be framed and are to be hung in the Community Room, of HOMES FOR HEROES, Tappan, New York. In commemoration of, "ORANGETOWN HOLIDAY FOR HEROES," Celebration and Brunch.

In the Embrace of the Warming Sun

The offerings of this day onto thee
Brilliant be the sun on the towering tree
Gems of color in glorious array to behold
Crimson, gold, russet, Autumn’s story told 
Birds in flight, their sweet song now be heard
Known be Creation’s Love, Creation’s WORD
Fluttering leaves to blanket the ground
As above, so below, gifts of grace be they found.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

...and this outside my window...

The Tale of Fall Be Told

Each color, a secret held, until the season renewed its vow

For the splendor of color to soar free from branch and bough

In the embrace of the lambent sky and sun so very bright

Leaves of radiant color swept by autumn winds in wistful flight

Brilliant hues of orange, crimson, red, burgundy, and gold

A blanket of leaves upon the ground, the tale of Fall be told.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Blanket of Leaves, ©Collectible Clicks, Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2019.

Sunday RAIN...

Sunday RAIN...

From trees young, towering, mighty and tall
The spoils of time, the gifts of Fall
Rains and south winds yesternight
A sky of gray holding to this noon day light
Each fallen leaf laden with the falling rain
Their wind swept flight put to tame
A brimming blanket of leaves upon the ground
Quiet they lay, gone their rustling sound
Soft be this bedding of leaves from branch and bough
Winds of Autumn true to the splendor of this season's vow.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Mood of a Season New... here in Tappan, New York

lambent blue and clouds of light

gentle wind and sun lovingly bright

be we embraced this new Fall day

the blessed grace of God's Way

the firmament heralds heartfelt love

the glory upon earth from the heavens above.

Rose Marie Raccioppi 

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Photo: Lambent Blue, CAR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2019

At Old Hook Farm

a flower in its grace of bloom

touched be this heart...

Photo: Grace of Bloom, CAR, Collectible Clicks, 
©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2019.

And so the Pain, and so the QUESTING for PEACE, the call of our PULSING HEARTS

On this day of September 11, 2019

“And so the Pain, and so the QUESTING for PEACE, the call of our PULSING HEARTS 

Here gathered we pause to remember, to grieve with families and friends of those who were victims of a merciless attack, and to honor the heroes, the first responders of the day, 

and each day since, who have suffered the pain, and loss of life,  from the devastating effects of toxins 

upon lungs, heart and BEING.

With prayer and blessings, today 18 years since the day of tragic loss, the human spirit prevails.. and yet we ask..

Where does the pain go
When man annihilates man
When terror rules reason and heart
When the unspeakable defies God’s name.

This the lament, the cry, the ever present echo of 9/11

Tears, heartache, shock, beyond all conceal

For the pain, the horrors, remain real
Time alone does not ease the grief, the pain
For the inward scars of loss long long remain
Deep within, a blessed wise, to hold, to embrace
Memory of our loved ones within heart we place
Tales of responders, heroic be each deed
Humanity and care, held as a living creed

And we ask anew

Where does the pain go
When a life is saved
When love holds a memory
When grace touches the tearful heart

Where does the pain go
When spirit and soul awaken faith
When destiny abides in God’s light
When the silence offers guidance

Where does the pain go
When determination and resolve assemble
When purpose and plan are set forth
When in the name of God, life, beauty and love are called .

And so we gather

In dedication, in honor, and with everlasting love

The souls that dwell within the heavens above.

And in praise, hear we the sounding call of each name

The dreams, the visions held, let us proclaim

In our hearts grant each their completed goals

PEACE onto our pulsing hearts and departed souls.

Thank You.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York