Ray

Ray

Red winged black bird was his joyful call

For such wondrous flight brought to all

Birds perched and on wing they be

And call he must so each would see

Ray’s love of nature’s gift of bloom and bounty alike

Plants, flowers to fill garden and home with loving care and delight

Ray upon spirit wings shall ever fly

Graced shall be our memories written in the beauty of the sky.



Peace and Love

2011

Ray has been embraced by the calling of eternal life. He lives on in the hearts of all he has touched by his tender, caring and blessed love he so generously gave to family, friend and stranger.

Most lovingly,

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Four Calling Birds

On the 4th Day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Four calling birds
A calling ever ever heard
The voice of song so very sweet
Upon the wings of Spirit to greet
A call to peace, gratitude, faith and love
To this wondrous earth and heaven above
And to those in memory now cast
Love for days now past
To the hearts and souls of all that live
A calling to all for life's gift to give.

Blessings to All

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York




Image: Courtesy of the World Wide Web no citation provided with post

Sleep Dear Child

Sleep dear child, this joyous day
Sleep this night, with stars above
Know the light, of God's love
Sleep dear child, you'll find the way
Sleep this night, the day is done
When you wake, you'll greet the sun
Wondrous night, this sky of blue
Brilliant stars, shining new
Rising sun, then night shall be
A new day for our hearts' glee
Gone this day, and come the dawn
You will find, a bright new morn.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



Sleep Dear Child, Rose Marie Raccioppi, THE WIND AND THE WILLOW, Publish America, 2008.

Song of the Angels, William Adolph Bouguereau, 1825-1905, French, 1881.

The Adoration Of The Magi

A Child born and so known and told
Gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold
Three Wise Men to distance far
Guided by heaven's shining star
A life of devotion, grace and praise
To fill the unfolding of His days
Let it be ever known, ever heard
Jesus, His life, His love, His Divine WORD.

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to All.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



The Adoration Of The Magi, Corrado Giaquinto, Molfetta 1703 - Naples 1766.

•.¸☆¸.•

...days counting...

Gather we all for blessings, love and cheer
For that special Christmas Day is mighty near.

Much love to ALL,

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪


Do enjoy the spirited message Charlie Brown brings to all of us

A Charlie Brown Christmas (The Meaning of Christmas) - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQeKdvXliIU&feature=related

Charlie Brown Christmas, Peanuts, Charles M. Schulz

This BE the Season of Light ~ Sun, Moon and Stars

wondrous light up on high
the sun in flight across the sky
wondrous orb to wax and wane
the beauty of night claims your name
the sun the moon such gifts of grace
your light and love in heart I place
and if a moment in darkness or despair
know I the Presence of light's embracing care
the light of stars upon my soul ever be
this be God's WORD decreed to me.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:3-5

Fresco of Christ creating the sun, moon and stars, St. Paraskevi Shrine, Greenlawn, NY, http://stparaskevi.org

Orangetown, Rich in History

Orangetown We Hail

A vision held within each heart
From which a righteous quest had its start
Freedom's plea with words defined
Orangetown Resolutions, July 4, 1774 were signed
The Declaration of Independence to follow its path
Man to be beyond oppression, domination and wrath
Major Andre, Benedict Arnold conspiracy and travail
Be it Truth and Justice ever to prevail
Washington-Carleton papers in 1783 signed and sealed
The heart and pulse of freedom in words revealed
And so declared a nation new to soar
A seventeen gun salute at Snedens shore
Snedens Landing in memorial be
A beacon holding fast Freedom's decree
Rich lands for labor and toil
Bounty and abundance from land and soil
Enterprise, invention, production to serve need and desire
Each vision alight with Freedom's flame and fire
And with freedom's defense and call anew
Be there World War II
From Camp Shanks soldiers to foreign shores they be
Hold they dear the protected right to live Free
Change during years past and present to prevail
Orangetown, Rich in History, we with heart hail.



Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York
2011


Photo: Courtesy of : www.tappantown.org


Video clip with Rose Marie Raccioppi presenting poem to the Orangetown Town Board
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Raccioppi Shares Introduction to Orangetown History - Pearl River, NY Patch
http://pearlriver.patch.com/articles/raccioppi-shares-introduction-to-orangetown-history

The Artist's Hand

Blessings of beauty and grace ever sweet
Upon canvas, vision and Creation meet
Strokes of color, form, and light cast
Of moments now, of moments past
Seized by passion and a knowing goal
Soaring be this calling, this calling of soul
Within there be a questing command
And so summoned is the Muse and the artist's hand.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



Study of Hands, c. 1474, Leonardo Da Vinci, 1452 - 1519.

Lifetimes Unfold

Visions, shrouds, lifetimes unfold
Quest ever present, a story told
From torn and tattered threads of time
Woven new a swaddling divine
This silent call I am to heed
Revelation is Wisdom's way and creed
Cradled in TRUTH the muse is heard
Known is sweet slumber and known is God's WORD
Awakened by Spirit, Life's song to be sung
Each moment, each day, each lifetime begun
Memory of shadow, light ever cast
This melody of time now and past.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


The Protection of Baby Zeus, Rhea and Cronus.

...tango...tango...tango ... haiku reflection

vistas of star birth
feel the pulsing of this night
tango be the mood.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Tango Mood, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Twilight Moment

twilight be this moment real
the path of light and dark as one
pulsing shadows in splendor cast
this the day's calling
a momentary interlude
a sigh
a breath
the grace of the day
the caress of the night.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



Twilight, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Time Ever Beckoning

time ever beckoning
the season 's cycle
summer's end
the autumn calls
to the warmth of the winter sun
to the light of the cresting moon
the winds blow cold
ever changing light
upon bare branch and bough
all in honor of Spring's eternal vow.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Time Ever Beckoning, Photo, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Libation

the river flows to the ocean waters
cresting waves resound
quiet waters enfold
so be these tides of time
shores blessed in libation
and I bathed in the baptism of JOY.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


It Was Blue and Green, 1960, Oil on canvas, Georgia O'Keeffe, 1887–1986,Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.

Alchemic Flow

flow...
watercolor
and the rivers of right intention
the oceans of opportunity
the streams of spirit
the seas of soul

flow...
the freedom
the love
the Omnipresence
the wondrous.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Alchemic Flow, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

On Being A Woman

Holding to the Wonder

Aware of the Omnipresent

Feeling the Marvel

Living the Aspiration

Fulfilling Need

Words to define what it is to be a woman
Come from the special meaning of who we are
With grace we receive and provide the ultimate giving
With love we nurture
With question we pursue
With pain we give birth and revel in its miracle
With persistence we provide
We are blessed to be
The receiver and giver of life.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


In Dedication to
Jill Cirricione




Reve de printemps - A Dream of Spring, William Bouguereau, 1825-1905, 1901.

On Being A Woman, Selected Poem, BARNES & NOBLE | The Wind and the Willow by Rose Marie Raccioppi, Publish America | Paperback, NOOK Book (eBook)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wind-and-the-willow-rose-marie-raccioppi/1100867043

Eyes Turned Skyward

Ascending ever changing sky and light
Wondrous by day, wondrous by night
Ever present waves of color crest and enfold
In awe be this celestial sea of soul.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth
with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you long to return.

Leonardo da Vinci

Those same stars twinkle over other fields than these.

Walden, Chapter 11
by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Astronomy Picture of the Day, Rosette Nebula, http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091202.html

A Guest Poet ~ Noble Beast by Patti Kelly

This is about the truth that sets us free
the truth that allows us to see all and beyond ourselves
the light that always penetrates the dark
that brings us love and protection
that enables us to heal and move forth.

Patti Kelly


The Beast of mine is Noble
the beast has been mislead

Innocent, the beast
whom created a lie so true
believed a wrong so right
whom fought a winless fight

Innocently so, the beast I believed

I convinced myself that the beast was me

but the beast puts up a front
and is not a beast at all
like a small child pretending he is tall

but a product of imagination

there in every beast
lies the heart of creation

the innocent spark of truth
that is the golden key
to unlock any door

to set one free

when he sees he has been lead astray

confused..fearful..
he only wants to run away
the true reflection is revealed

as he stares into the distance so vast

hopeless is what he feels

but remembrance is his beauty, the love that is she
whom reminds the beast he is truth
she is the one who sees

She is patience, gentle and kind
reminds him of the love inside

She knows him so well
oh, how she understands

And softly reaches out her hand.

Patti Kelly

Age 17 years

Image: Photo source: http://harlot.lchost.co.uk/Royo/III%20Millennium/III_mill_43.jpg
Artist : Luis Royo, featured in his book entitled III Millenium.

Creation's Canvas

hues in brilliant pulsing array
turbulent be this celestial sea
wondrous wondrous palette bright
distant vistas of star birth light.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



APOD: W5: Pillars of Star Formation - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111120.html

...with palette in hand... Quake and Storm

..with palette in hand...

Quake and Storm

the line be it beauty perceived
the light be it TRUTH revealed
the shadow be it time cast
the color be it passion known
the stirring, the quest, the resolve
quake and storm
'tis the artist's way.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Quake and Storm, Image and Text, ©Rose Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

The work, "Quake and Storm," is on Display/Sale at "The Food Evolution" in Bardonia, New York. (w63" x h33" - framed in wood hand finished brown/bronze) For more information contact me directly.

Upon expression of the heart's prevailing word and the soul's felt vision, a Peace is known.. Peace is ever the gift and celebration of love and creation... it is the resolve of light and shadow, it is the knowing of grace, the living of TRUTH, and the blessings of life eternal.

Yours in gratitude,
Rose Marie

BARNES & NOBLE | The Wind and the Willow by Rose Marie Raccioppi | NOOK Book (eBook), Paperback

Do consider as a Holiday gift for yourself or another. When your purchase is complete with Barnes and Noble, you are invited to select one of the poems from, The Wind And The Willow. It would be my pleasure to provide your selected poem, suitable for framing and signed. Send information and request to rmr8@verizon.net. ENJOY!!

Overview

Words heard, spoken, and written, reflections, musings and the ever-present quest for understanding and well being, move this poet's pen. Childhood, motherhood and the ravages of cancer are all woven into the fabric of time and being. Offered here are the impressions and ponderings that grasp at the very core of being. The Wind and the Willow is a deeply heartfelt expression of life known, fears conquered, anguish dispelled and the ever-present gift of faith. Journey with words to bridge reverie and revelation, to move beyond despair to the embrace of innocence and delight, be it the brightest or darkest hour.

Click on title above and be brought to Banes and Noble
to place your order.

Thank You.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Passions and Gratitude... Burning Embrace

Sacred flame and fire
Consecrated passion and desire
Praise and Glory be they named
Truth and Love ever ordained
This blissful frenzy, a fervor within heart
From all doubt or fear this soul depart
The grandeur of life I not conceal
In the burning embrace of this moment real.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


The Flaming Star ~ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap051018.html

Happy Thanksgiving ~ 2011

'tis a day of blessings
a harvest of grace and gratitude
may all gather in joy and love
Thanksgiving and Praise be known.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Thanksgiving ~ Blessed We Are

Thanksgiving ~ Blessed We Are

Blessed we are
For the passion and allurement of love
For the delicate innocence of each new born
For the wonder of each child’s way
For the meaning we live this day

Blessed we are
For the understanding we seek
For the compassion we feel
For each sunrise we behold
For each story told

Blessed we are
For the striving and the path
For the strength to meet opposition
For the knowing within the Word
For the listening beyond all heard

Blessed we are
For the bounty
For the harvest we gather
For the restful reflection
For nature's perfection.

Blessed we are
For the tender touch that comforts
For the embrace that secures
For the determination to be
This moment blessed and free.

A Most Happy Thanksgiving to All
2011

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Rest at Harvest, Oil on canvas, 1865, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1825-1905.

Helix Nebula

rhythms of silence to fill the night
these melodies of mind in vistas far
wondrous echoes of deep quietude
the pulsing refrain of a distant star.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown New York


Astronomy Picture of the Day :APOD, Dust and the Helix Nebula,
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap091231.html

...upon my walkway...Tappan, New York

scarlet, crimson, magenta, russet, they be
gathered upon my walkway colors alight I see
the surrender of time and this season's call
the bounty, the beauty, the blessings of Fall.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

for Patty



Upon My Walkway, Photo, CAR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

...awakened...

from the deep depths of the night
the soul's soaring light of dawning
and awakened is the grace of BEING.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Awakened, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

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
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Photo:
Orangetown Designates Raccioppi as Poet Laureate
Nyack-Piermont Patch

Listen To This Night

Listen to this night
Violet whispers
Indigo melody
And light's refrain

Listen to this night
Blue notes
Lilting tones
And light's refrain.



Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


The Night, Watercolor, Rose Marie Raccioppi, http://www.apogeeart.com

What Be This Birth

what be this birth
a value measured
a purpose defined
a potential anticipated
a passion known
what be this birth
a plan determined
an action set
a vision fulfilled
a quest triumphant
what be this birth
the birth of PEACE
the birth of PRAISE.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


This Birth, Photo, CAR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Crerscendo of Fall

an orchestra of color a symphony of Fall
the brilliance of russet leaves on the mighty oak tall
the sun, gentle winds embrace each leaf alight
sweeping grace of russet held by each leaf in flight
feel I the dance of branch and bough in surrender's call
leaves in repose, the finale, the crescendo of Fall.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Crescendo of Fall, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

November Moon

Ah, this moon in such radiant brilliance be
Casting light shadowed by the towering oak tree
To the whispering song of gentle winds this night
Be there a shadow dance of branch and leaves alight.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


November Moon, Photo, CAR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Moonlight Serenade - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92ATE3IgIs&feature=related

In Valor Known -Veteran's Day 11/11/11

In tribute and reverence stand we
Held our right to be free
Hearts and souls in valor known
Right intention and devotion shown
Battlefields of victory and plight
Through all beheld freedom's light
Others before us in peace they lay
And gather in gratitude we this day
Sons and daughters, husbands and wives
Children of purpose have given their lives
The breath of freedom an endowment divine
Bequeathed to life yours, life mine.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, Joe Rosenthal's historic photo depicts five United States Marines and one sailor raising an American flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The image is an Associated Press photograph that won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography. It was taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945.

...wondrous‎...in haiku reflection....

galactic splendor
a winged nebula of gold
wondrous star of light.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Astronomy Picture of the Day: APOD: 2011 November 7 - Star Forming Region S106 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111107.html

...from the night...cosmic dance...

this cosmic dance of BEING
fragments of what was yet prevail
mind holds to visions of another tomorrow
heart pulses with a questing TRUTH
orchestration of past present future
vistas of the soul
this cosmic dance of BEING.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Cosmic Dance, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Simplicity

simplicity
interface
light and shadow
fields of color
motion
the thought
the artistry
expression fulfilled.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Simplicity, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Behind the Curtain...

Behind the Curtain

there is the writer and the reader
the musician and the listener
the artist and the admirer
the performer and the audience
the player and the spectator
the visionary and the planner
all in Creation
all in complement
all in celebration
Applause
Bravo
Applause.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Behind the Curtain, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

...depths of darkness...

jeweled be the depths of darkness
illumed be the shadows of light
journey to the silence of slumber
to the vistas of my dreams
to the visions of my soul
and awaken to the dawning of day new.



Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Vistas of My Dreams, Image, ©Rose Marie Racciopi, 2011.

"GREEN" at the Tappan Library, Tappan, NY

Pleased to announce that The TAPPAN LIBRARY, Tappan, New York, now has on exhibit for the month of November, 2011, "GREEN," featuring the art and poetry of Rose Marie Raccioppi, Poet Laureate, Orangetown, New York. Works on exhibit are those inspired by the gift of nature's green in all its majesty, beauty and grace.

As an artist, poet, and an environmentalist, the word and the brush are ever offered in gratitude for the blessings of life and for the bounty of mother nature in all her many moods, glory and splendor.

Poetic works are in complement to works of art.

Abundance BE

Ravage not the land nor sea
Heed the echoed cry and plea
Heard in the crashing wave and thunderous sky
In valleys, plains and mountains high
Hold this Earth in reverent care
Protect our gifts of land, water and air
Take not in abuse a mineral or gem
Behold the wonder of each bloom, leaf and stem
Trees to flourish, 'tis bounty's call
The knowing grace of Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Earth, animals, a you, a me
Nurture wise and abundance be.



The Blush of Beauty

Leaves of green, red, orange, crimson and gold
Such is the palette of Autumn to behold
Colors to don trees in such rapturous array
Leaves alight flutter free this November day
The blush of beauty in colors bright
Blessed be all by the Creator's light.



Nature's Vow

mountain side fields of green there be
on river banks as waters flow to the ocean to the sea
from Spring to Winter be there ever seen
budding and seasoned leaves of green
dew touched green greets the dawn
the harvest from nature's bounty drawn
in heights that soar a tree does stand
the splendor of green in sublime command
shades and hues upon branch and bough
the grace of green 'tis nature's vow.




Rain Rain

The rhythmic falling rain
The green flourishing foliage
The touch the sound the feel
Creation in God's grandeur real

Rain outside my window
Tapping at my door
I hear its sounding call
Rain rain evermore

Droplets of splendor
Upon branches green
Shimmering light
'Tis God to be seen

I listen to its haunting
Chant and melody
And feel its loving grace
Deep deep within me.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Green Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.