Monday, May 28, 2018

Memorial Day 2018



...and why a poet this day in Memorial Tribute...
…a day of reverence, respect, a salute...
a quiet certainty… words that call to the silence
words that pulse the heart
praise be an expressive joy
an embracing gratitude
ascension
the rising of spirit 
the glory, the glory of the WORD in Memorial Tribute

beyond lament there is love
beyond shadow there is light
beyond despair there is divinity
beyond dismay there is beauty
beyond death there is eternal life

Be this the freedoms cherished
The lives in valor dedicated
The sons, the daughters, in service 
The visions held for freedom
The loss of limb, of life
The willingness to confront
The heart held resolve
The heart held resolve
Its ever present pulsing quest
Humankind to live in liberation
To be freed of domination
To be freed of oppression
To be SELF in expression

This the silent yet resounding pledge
This the rising in defense
This the Veteran in knowing sacrifice 

'Tis the vision of freedom and valor within souls we hail
Homage, gratitude to Our Veterans ever, ever, to prevail
And as we look to vistas far and the heavens above
Our Veterans in the embrace, in the embrace of God’s love.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York




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