The Artist ~ In Dedication to my Son...

a purpose defined
aligned be the heart the mind
intent and action and so a plan
do what one must what one can
with valor and bold focus to reveal
what is illusion what is real
and so entered is the arena of life
to hearken to truth and beauty beyond strife
to hold to purpose and soul's vision clear
to breathe creation's breath banished of fear
to capture structure, line and grace
and upon paper, canvas, clay, expression to place
to bring the gift of heart and hand
to God's ever loving command.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Pygmalion and Galatea, 1890, Oil on Canvas, Jean-Léon Gérôme, French, Vésoul 1824–1904 Paris. 

"Late in his career, Gérôme turned to the medium of sculpture. Between 1890 and 1893, he executed both sculpted and painted variations on the theme of Pygmalion and Galatea, as the tale is recounted in Ovid's "Metamorphoses." All of those works depict the moment when the sculpture of Galatea was brought to life by the goddess Venus, in fulfillment of Pygmalion's wish for a wife as beautiful as the sculpture he created. " Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, USA.