13 STARS... A Free Nation New... 1776... Freedom's Creed

13 STARS... A Free Nation New... 1776...

Freedom's Creed

The ravages of suppression

Known and heard

So from the heart of Freedom

Came each word

Declarations so marked

To portray

That man free of oppression

Be the chosen way

In Freedom’s light

And with Freedom’s call

Dignity of expression

A right granted all

And if with doubt

And query new

A forum open

For a challenged view

Hold these words

As Freedom’s choice

Let not TRUTH be a silenced voice.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Ascension

 Introduction

Within the APOGEE Sound Sanctuary, the watercolor Ascension and its companion poem stand as a unified expression of rising consciousness. The painting breathes in soft, luminous hues that lift the spirit, while the poem moves in a cadence of clarity, devotion, and grace. Together, they embody the principle of Ascending Intelligence — the continual movement of awareness toward light, purpose, and peace.

This work arose through communion. The painting called forth its own becoming; the poem answered with its own illumination. In their union, color becomes vibration, word becomes resonance, and the Sanctuary, a place where art, spirit, energy, and intention meet in harmony.

Ascension

demanding be the many tasks at hand

a perception, a plan, action in command

intention and focus be the call of the day

the gift of time and a knowing provide the way

how sweet when vision is newly held clear

when the din of despair is silenced and gone the fear

how comforting is this moment's embrace

when within heart, love the soul does place

how knowing is an ascension's call

when resounding with the grace of ALL

and as I cast my sight to the lambent sky

feel I the beauty of the moving firmament on high

the lithe bamboo touched by the gentle winds that blow

breath, faith, 'tis all that I need now know

the day by Nature's plan does unfold

and I to be led by THE WORD ever told.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Ascension, Watercolor, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi

~

THE WAY

THE WAY is revelation. THE WAY is invocation. THE WAY is the soul’s ascent through darkness, discernment, fire, and illumination.

Poems, teachings,— each one a step, a vow, a rising. This is the path of the seeker, the visionary, the poet, the BEING who walks in truth.

Poem

THE WAY of Soulful Mind 

Strength, direction, harmony Ever present questing destiny Healing body, mind, soul Ever present questing goal Premonition and knowing wise Ever present questing prize Mastery of time and space Ever present questing grace One with truth, nature and creation Ever present questing celebration Enlightenment, SELF, artistry defined Ever present questing soulful mind.

— Rose Marie Raccioppi

Teaching Passage

The WAY of Soulful Mind is the awakening of inner orientation — strength, direction, harmony. It is the integration of body, mind, and soul. It is the mastery of time and space, the unity with truth, nature, and creation. It is the artistry of enlightenment, the ever‑present quest of the soulful mind.

Poem

BEYOND  

ridden with darkness and the wake of pain the clutches of shadows and the inane 'tis not life that looms, bows and seeks to hide but the illusions and hurts held deep inside beyond all hurt, doubt and unabated fear ever the hand of grace reaching near beyond devastation and the din of despair lies the answered call of light and faith's care hold to a vision noble with unrelenting love look to the vistas of beauty within and above the call to truth, love, beauty and grace be they within the chambers of heart to place within the darkness be there light perceived the fires, the grace of BEING, in blessings conceived.

— Rose Marie Raccioppi

Teaching Passage

BEYOND is the passage through shadow into sovereignty. It teaches that darkness is not the end but the threshold. Grace is ever near. Vision noble becomes compass. Light is perceived even within darkness.

We read, words call

some echo what was 

some echo what is

some echo what is yet to BE 

this The WAY of WORDS...

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

~

Memorial Day Tribute ~ 2026

M E M O R I A L D A Y  

T R I B U T E

Memorial Day, gives special meaning to the words THANK YOU ... for it is life given and freedoms won that weold in gratitude. What is endured by our Veterans can only be known by them. We are to embrace and honor their needs. Yes, we are to provide the ultimate of understanding and support for their return home, be it to heaven’s door or earth’s abode, we ever in expression of our abiding love.

Abiding LOVE ... heart to heart….

heart prayer, an inner light, a flame

passion, faith and truth in glory name

this sounding PRESENCE be it in PRAISE

for the treasure of time and blessed days

a body, a mind, a spirit, a soul

a life in pursuit of purpose, a vision, a goal

hold to the light of souls in heavens above

live the majesty of PRESENCE and abiding LOVE.

Heartfelt be these words and remembrances. Heartfelt be the sacrifices, the loss, the vision, the victory, the freedoms to prevail.

So this be known…

And they who for country and freedom in battle perish

We to weep and in loving memory with gratitude cherish

For each life that was lives in God's embrace sublime

Ever blessed be their souls in soaring grace divine

The pulsing, sounding, recording within our heart

From which memory and sentiment have their start

Of dearly loved ones who once filled our day

Their souls taken to another path, to the eternal way

We share gestures and words that lovingly hold to grace

And within our BEING it is tenderness we place

All in reflection of sacrifice and noble deed

The cry of Freedom, ever our living creed

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

To hold resolve and endure all claim

To fire the passion beyond the pain

For those given to liberation and freedom's call

Blessed Be they who have given their All

It is resolve that humanity calls to be known

Within the grasps of faith, love and TRUTH be shown

This day, the NOW of yesterday we devotedly share

For timeless be each heart's deeply felt care

Life with God's blessings shall ever prevail

'Tis the vision of freedom and valor within souls we hail

Symbols of spirit, our flag, a wreath, an eagle in flight

This in reflection of faith and God’s gift of loving light

Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Rights ever to preserve

And so the glory of those who devotedly and honorably serve

The dream yet dreamed shall unfold

And PEACE to be the story told

'Tis the gift of knowing that marks the rising way

And we in tribute give honor this Memorial Day.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

~

I was asked how do you know you are a poet..

 

I was asked how do you know you are a poet... 
I answered...
and so it is...

when you find bits of paper in your pocket bearing lines
when you realize you did not take your vitamins because you forgot to eat
when you keep writing even though the pencil point is broken
when you hear words in your heart and cannot write them fast enough
when you hear the crackle of a fallen leaf and know it is a song
when you see a smile and feel the wondrous charm of joy
when you are embraced by the MUSE that refuses to let go
when you hear silence and know it is an orchestra divine
when you grasp the lint in your pocket and feel its inspiration
when you see each season by its ceaseless cycles of grace
when you find that every expression, every gesture of nature calls your attention
when you breathe and feel the miracle of life that is you
when you sigh in delight and amazement at the poem you just completed
and so it is ... you know.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

Poet Laureate 

Orangetown, New York 

Photo::

Orangetown Designates Raccioppi as Poet Laureate
Nyack-Piermont Patch

November 16, 2011

.

250th Anniversary of the United States ~ Declaration of Independence - A Vision in Praise

John Trumbull's painting depicting the drafting committee of the 

Declaration of Independence.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

"The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America"

"WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of man- kind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

And so OUR FOREFATHERS  stood firm:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

"The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

As a 4th grade student, the history of the birthing of the United States became known. I learned of the 13 colonies, the settlers with vision, with aspirations, with sovereignity, with unity, and righteousness, made their settlements. Pioneering, and with held convictions, they declared their capacity and right to freedoms, representation, and righteousness. The Declaration of Independence of 1776 was, and is, a delineation of their visions.

The 5 pointed star, sacred geometry in symbolic accord, 5 the 'mark' of freedom. Yes, in a school 'play' I was Betsy Ross, and sewed 13, 5 pointed stars onto a flag to represent each of the 13 original colonies. 

When placed upon the flag, the star became a declaration of sovereign presence, each colony a point of light, each community a complete expression of purpose, each contribution essential to the harmony of the whole. The constellation formed by thirteen stars revealed unity through radiance, equality through shared illumination, and destiny through collective brilliance. 

The thirteen stars, each a symbol of sovereign purpose, together formed a vision of unity that continues to illuminate the nation’s identity. Their geometry speaks of aspiration, radiance, and the enduring truth that a people conscious of their dignity,  create a future worthy of their light.

The United States of America, the flag, the national anthem, are held in respectful accord... yes, a vision made real... a child free...

A VISION IN PRAISE

In Righteousness our Forefathers stood firm

a calling forth, a petition, for all to discern

testimony, accusations, abuses, real

all brought forth, no longer to conceal

TRUTH in its expression, revelation shown

the voices of TRUTH were then openly known

we a people who define freedom within a righteous soul

let us hold sacred, life in its blessed expression and goal

our BEING, our Freedoms, Blessings held in GOD's loving grace

all be known within our light, the light in heart we place

A DECLARATION our Forefathers in confidence drew

Our 250th Anniversary 

in reverent celebration onto you.

Respectfully,

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

~

RMR Thank YOU ... Proclamation ...

 To the Supervisor and the Town Board of Orangetown, New York,

With gratitude profound and honor deeply felt.

I receive this Proclamation of Poet Laureate with appreciation for the trust, recognition, and support extended to my work. This designation, now marking fifteen years, reflects a shared commitment to the arts and to the enduring presence of poetry within our community.

Poetry serves as a vital expression of spirit and understanding. It carries the voices, memories, and aspirations of a people. It offers reflection, illumination, and unity. Through the written and spoken word, poetry becomes a transmission of insight, a bridge between experience and meaning, and a celebration of the light that resides within every life.

As Poet Laureate, I remain devoted to this purpose. I continue to honor the traditions of our town, its history, its diversity, and its collective vision. Each poem offered to the community stands as an affirmation of our shared humanity and our shared pursuit of beauty, peace, and understanding.

With gratitude to the Supervisor, the Town Board, the Staff, and the residents of Orangetown I embrace this Proclamation, 2026, as a call to continued service through the art of poetry. May the words yet to come uplift, inspire, and reflect the spirit of Orangetown with clarity, praise, and grace.

Respectfully,

Rose Marie Raccioppi Poet Laureate Town of Orangetown, New York