Showing posts with label Orangetown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orangetown. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2026

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
~


Friday, September 8, 2023

...and Why a P O E M ...

 



In Commemoration... in Tribute... in Dedication ... in Acknowledgment... in Remembrance...

APOGEE Poet
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



Friday, April 22, 2022

In honor of April being 2022 National Poetry Month

 

April 22, 2022
Dear Residents - 
 
In honor of April being 2022 National Poetry Month, I leave you with the Orangetown Poet Laureate's words:
 
With Poet's Pen
 
With poet's pen this quest to write
Of the eternal now be shadow or light
The dark bears not demise
For the Sun in glory does rise
Within the depths of night, stars in brilliant array
In PRESENCE we greet the dawning of a new day 
Let us hold resolve in chambers of our heart 
From which love ever bears its supernal start
Let us see our differences with a vision newly clear
Hold to life's blessings of breath and BEING dear 
We the deciders, the change makers are to claim 
TRUTH, HARMONY, GRACE, PEACE in GOD's name.
 
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York
 


Teresa M. Kenny
Town of Orangetown
26 Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, New York 10962
(845) 359-5100 x 2293

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

...pen in hand... love's ardent command...

 



...pen in hand... love's ardent command.

and here this pen in poet's hand
wherein is heart's command
a smile, a gesture, the warming sun
a creed, a mission, a task now done
'tis not what I alone to answer nor unfold
the pleas of need be too, your story told
all awakens for the vision yet held
purpose and right intention in glory meld
with word and reach and Faith in command
and here this pen in poet's hand
expressive of light and heartfelt love
be the blessings supernal of heavens above
visions of resolve and peace there be
in the bounty of love from sea to sea
a thought, a knowing, from vistas far
ever the light from a distant star
and awakened we be to the sun rising new
life in glory, in grace bestowed upon you
and I a poet with pen in hand
beholden to love's ardent command.

APOGEE Poet
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Saturday, April 29, 2017

A Town, in Celebration, in Tribute...


Past/Forward ~ Orangetown in Celebration
National Poetry Month Tribute April 28, 2017

Past... be this the Passion ~ Aspiration ~ Spirit ~ Treasures of breaths long gone ~ held in the memory of BEING.

Forward... be this the Faith, the Omnipresence ~ the Revelation ~ the Wondrous ~ the Aspiration ~ the Resurrection ~ the Deliverance ~ held in what IS.

It is the humanity that calls within the heart of a home, within an artifact is a vision, and intention, within a memory past, brought forward is the NOW.

A Home
Behold its walls

Held be the voices 
The dreams
Echoes of days past.


Held with the heart of a HOME...
the Harvest of a vision
the Oneness of purpose
the Manifest dream
the Eternal in the NOW.


We the keepers
We hold and speak our story
Gathered we are in acknowledgment
In celebration in humanity’s treasured glory 


Orangetown Rich in History
Rich with the treasures of settlements
With the vision of independence
With the knowing of freedom
With the glory of humanity

All that has come forth
All from the many yesterdays


And so in preservation’s name
Orangetown Rich in History makes its claim
Hold to the structures and artifacts of a day from a calendar past 

Welcome with reverence the memories and light they yet cast 
And what we allow to be, to stand
Is our grace and gratitude in knowing command
A history, a humanity, and so we hail
Orangetown Rich in History past/forward to prevail


We the keepers
We hold and speak our story
Embrace be time, humanity’s treasured glory.


Thank You.

Rose Marie Raccioppi 
Poet Laureate 
Orangetown, New York 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

And after the parades...



A smile in heart for the NOW perceived
From the words of soulful gratitude conceived
PRAISE to Our Veterans for all they defend
Sacrifices beyond what we may comprehend
In word and song, tribute, dedication, honor be heard
And touched we BE by waves of sentiments and WORD
Memorial Day, 2015, in community, remembrance and acclaim
PEACE, BROTHERHOOD, FREEDOM, called in GOD'S name.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Photo: Courtesy, Andy Stewart, Supervisor,  Orangetown, New York


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

How Does...



How does a poet, an artist, process the news that speaks to corruption, deception, maligning controls and abusive encounters? It hears the plea of TRUTH beyond the lies, it sees the HUMANITY beyond the exploitation, it lives the knowing, the FAITH,  the VISION,  beyond the oppression. It feels the QUAKE and STORM that ever calls to the LIGHT, it lives THE WORD anew.


...with word in heart.....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, APOGEE Vibrational Art, Image and Text, ©Rose Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2013.




Sunday, October 21, 2012

...carried by the wind... A Poet's Palette


a poet's palette before thee
brilliant tones of many a tree 
leaves as bright as a bloom anew
be this the magical autumn hue
feel the rapture of Nature's passion shown
in the splendor of color this moment be known.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Referenced Image: http://www.weirsonline.com/foliagephotos.htm

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

...charm it is... The Little Prince Within Us



The Little Prince so recently I have met
He tells of travel, folly and regret

With question and wonder he is sure to ask
What draws us to each and every task

Of what import is what we think and do
If it does not hold what is good and true

With love he does tame and so he does see
One blossom of beauty among all that be

Wherever he travels he questions anew
Why do we do whatever we do

He holds a blossom, a sunset, a star
Venturing to lands near and far

And what he tells us in his favored way
Each sunset brings to this very day

And so The Little Prince sets out to depart
To his homeland from where he did start

The Little Prince within us shall remain
A blossom, a star, now to tame.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Friday, December 16, 2011

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


Sunday, April 10, 2011

National Poetry Month, April 2011 ~ Orangetown, New York


In Celebration

I am so very pleased to share the poster that was created in
Celebration of National Poetry Month, April, 2011,
presentation poem by

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

This will be officially presented
at the Orangetown Town Board Meeting
on Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Click on Image
for a larger readable view.


Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996,

National Poetry Month
is now held every April to celebrate poetry
and its place in American culture.

Celebrate National Poem In Your Pocket Day on Thursday, April 14, 2011!
The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month
then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends.

Peruse http://www.apogeepoet.blogspot.com,
select a favored poem, copy/print, pocket and share!

Thank You ever so kindly.

English Essays: Sidney to Macaulay.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
A Defence of Poetry
Percy Bysshe Shelley

"... But poets, or those who imagine and express this indestructible order, are not only the authors of language and of music, of the dance, and architecture, and statuary, and painting: they are the institutors of laws, and the founders of civil society, and the inventors of the arts of life, and the teachers, who draw into a certain propinquity with the beautiful and the true that partial apprehension of the agencies of the invisible world. Poets, according to the circumstances of the age and nation in which they appeared, were called, in the earlier epochs of the world, legislators, or prophets: a poet essentially comprises and unites both these characters. For he not only beholds intensely the present as it is, and discovers those laws according to which present things ought to be ordered, but he beholds the future in the present, and his thoughts are the germs of the flower and the fruit of latest time..." A Defence of Poetry, Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1792 – 1822.

A Defence of Poetry. Percy Bysshe Shelley. 1909-14. English Essays: Sidney to Macaulay. The Harvard Classics ~ Full text available at: http://www.bartleby.com/27/23.html

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Town of Orangetown to Designate Poet Laureate at the Orangetown Town Board, January 25, 2011 - Nyack-Piermont, NY Patch


In Gratitude


I, Rose Marie Raccioppi, am the first ever to be designated as Poet Laureate for the Town of Orangetown, New York. The designation came from the many presentations I have given over the years as an activist, using originally written poems, by way of introduction or closing, as pleas for attention or support of children's special needs and the environment. Other poems were written and presented in honor of those whose lives were lost serving in the military.

Poems I wrote in response to 9/11 were also presented at both public and private memorial services. These were exhibited at Orangetown Town Hall and at the Legislative Chambers of Rockland County. The poem, "Where Does The Pain Go," in response to 9/11, was made into a musical and dance performance. A reproduction of the original painting upon which the poem was superimposed was presented as a fund raiser. http://www.apogeepoet.blogspot.com/2009/05/where-does-pain-go.html APOGEE Poet: "Where Does The Pain Go - 9/11 ." Another one of my poems, "The Aftermath," engraved in glass superimposed upon my painting, is on permanent display as part of "The Wall of Heroes," at the Rockland County Legislative Chambers, New York.

Since my first community presentation in 1975, as an activist for children with learning disabilities, poetry has been my shared voice of soul. When diagnosed with cancer in 1983, writing poetry became the deepest source of solace and healing. This the journey to, "The Wind and the Willow," published in 2008.

A poetry blog was initiated in January of 2009 and has to date, a posting of 669 of my original poems, http://www.apogeepoet.blogspot.com

It is with a deep respect and reverence for the art of poetry that I am so honored.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

http://patch.com/N-Df4


In Reflection...

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.
Robert Schumann
Composer
1810 - 1856



this pulsing passion in word and deed
'tis the destiny of soul in loving creed
pen or brush each guided by heart
from which word and image bear their start
color and sound to convey soul's quest
this gift of purpose a known behest.

And as I prepare for the designation...

should I accept in silence
and all knowing be THE WORD
or expressions of gratitude be the heart heard
consider the honor I say
be there ever celebration of THE WAY
choose a gesture that springs from heart
from which all loving has its start
and all in JOY shall rejoice
for L♡VE is ever ever the choice.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

To Unfold


This new year to unfold
Its gifts yet to behold
For this moment in grace known

For the grandeur of nature ever shown
For the snows of Winter now blanketing all

For the budding of life Spring to call
For the beauty Summer brings to you
For the splendor each Fall in brilliant hue
Signs, markings, the stars, the zodiac to chart

The NOW in Presence, each vision its start

The moment, day and passing year

In gratitude for life evermore dear

A knowing of an inner spirit of calm

Love and faith shielding me from harm
Cold be winter's winds now that blow

Upon my face sun's noon warming glow

In joyful reverence this day gifted new

Creation's love, praise and favor on to you.


Rose Marie Raccioppi



Zodiac
http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/astrology/aries.htm

Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the heavens through the constellations that divide the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude. The zodiac is recognized as the first known celestial coordinate system. Babylonian astronomers developed the zodiac of twelve signs. The etymology of the term zodiac is that it comes from the Latin zōdiacus, from the Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος], meaning "circle of animals", derived from ζῴδιον, the diminutive of ζῷον "animal". However, the classical Greek zodiac also includes signs (also constellations) that are not represented by animals (e.g., Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini and for some Libra). Another suggested etymology is that the Greek term is cognate with the Sanskrit sodi, denoting "a path", i.e., the path through which the Sun travels.





Tappan poet designated as 1st 'Poet of the Year' in Orangetown

By Akiko Matsuda • amatsuda@lohud.com • December 24, 2009


TAPPAN — As an educational consultant, child advocate and environmental activist, Rose Marie Raccioppi has spoken at various meetings and workshops over the years.

Her presentations often started or ended with her poems related to the themes of her talk.

To Raccioppi, who is also a published poet as well as an artist, her poems are an important means of communication.

"All my poetry has an acoustical balance, which means when you listen to it ... it engages both left and right brains. And therefore, my goal is to leave something that creates integration," Raccioppi said.

Raccioppi has been designated by the Orangetown Town Board as the first Poet of the Year. Details of her official activities in the coming year still need to be finalized.

Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner said the recognition was well-deserved.

"It is certainly an appropriate honor for Rose Marie not only because of her work but her community involvement," Kleiner said.

Town Board member Michael Maturo, who initiated the creation of the position and nominated Raccioppi, said he was hoping to enhance Orangetown's artistic strength by recognizing talented people in the community.

"I hope Rose Marie's work will inspire people in town ... and make them realize that there's a lot of creativity in all of us," Maturo said.

Raccioppi, a mother of three grown children, started her career as a schoolteacher but later decided to dedicate her skills and talents as a private educational consultant. One of her focuses has been to work with children with learning disabilities, based on her belief that they are differently-abled, not disabled.

Raccioppi said her breast cancer diagnosis 26 years ago was a moment of awakening, prompting her to shift priorities in her life.

"I felt that I faced death, and now I was going to face life in its entirety," Raccioppi said. "That gave me permission to fully embrace and do what was in my heart and soul."

She has been widely recognized for her community service, her work as an educator, and her leadership benefitting children and families with special needs.

Raccioppi said, as the poet of the year, she was thinking about creating a spot in a public space where she can post a monthly poem as well as accepting poems from the public.

"I want the poetry for the people to be a spontaneous expression to represent their passion, to represent what they think whatever their plea is, whatever their absolute joy is. Poetry is everything and anything," Raccioppi said. "I believe, if we reflect, if we are willing to record, we begin to get a sense of priority and direction."

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.
~Robert Frost~
and so the echoes of heart, soul, and quest, be heard...
Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
THE WIND AND THE WILLOW
Limited Edition Hardcover
Softcover
ISBN-13: 9781604744545
directly from Publish America.
Click on title, place title or my name in search bar of Publish America Entry Page
available also on line booksellers nationally and internationally
including Barnes and Noble and Amazon
Thank you for your order.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Way


Rose Marie Raccioppi

POET OF THE YEAR
2010
Orangetown, New York

So designated by the


Town Board of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York


December 14, 2009



"... But poets, or those who imagine and express this indestructible order, are not only the authors of language and of music, of the dance, and architecture, and statuary, and painting: they are the institutors of laws, and the founders of civil society, and the inventors of the arts of life, and the teachers, who draw into a certain propinquity with the beautiful and the true that partial apprehension of the agencies of the invisible world... Poets, according to the circumstances of the age and nation in which they appeared, were called, in the earlier epochs of the world, legislators, or prophets: a poet essentially comprises and unites both these characters. For he not only beholds intensely the present as it is, and discovers those laws according to which present things ought to be ordered, but he beholds the future in the present, and his thoughts are the germs of the flower and the fruit of latest time..." A Defence of Poetry, Percy Bysshe Shelley


•.¸¸.•
Holiday Gift

for anyone who enjoys the play of words

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.
~Robert Frost
~
and so the echoes of heart, soul, and quest, be heard...

Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
THE WIND AND THE WILLOW
Limited Edition Hardcover
Softcover
ISBN-13: 9781604744545
directly from Publish America.
Click on title, place title or my name in search bar of Publish America Entry Page
available also on line booksellers nationally and internationally
including Barnes and Noble and Amazon
Thank you for your order.
ENJOY