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

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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

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