"some are born to sweet delight ... some are born to endless night..."

born we each to be

the call to destiny

beyond the perceived despair

be the grace, be the care

with each breath we to define

the need, the touch of the divine

and so with blessed convictions true

be the fate that calls onto you.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

 "some are born to sweet delight ... some are born to endless night..." ~ William Blake

My eldest son, as a young teenager, introduced me to THE DOORS... yes, instantly an accord was experienced. The poetry, the rhythmic call of the music and the words sung with such depth of feelings, were magnetic.

Jim Morrison ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Morrison ) was a poet, one who sought meaning in each encounter, one who wanted to convey what we were to be aware of, responsive to, ever to appreciate cause and effect, ever to know we are the ultimate deciders for the fate of our BEING. Do enjoy: http://hurdgurd.blogspot.com/2011/01/endless-night-of-doors-and-william.html

TIGER TIGER

TIGER ~ TIGER...

And so I of EARTH TIGER Birth

live my days in fulfillment of the calling of the stars

in gratitude for my moment of birth here and afar

in celebration of days gifted, known and yet to come

in awe of the wondrous for thy will, thy will be done.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

"People who are born under the sign of the Tiger in the Chinese Zodiac are intense and magnetic individuals. No one says "no" to a Tiger, and if they do, the Tiger simply does not listen. Tigers are full of confidence and power, and when a Tiger sets his or her sights on a goal, that goal will be achieved, no matter how impossible it seems. In fact, the more people try to block a Tiger's way, the harder he or she will work, because Tigers have a rebellious, competitive streak, and like nothing more than proving their detractors wrong.

Tigers are passionate, and everyone who sees a Tiger can tell that their civility masks powerful emotions. Tigers feel strongly for others, and hate to see another person being picked on or put down. A Tiger will stick up for someone else and fight against bullies with all the power he or she possesses, and that is a considerable amount of power!

In a relationship, a Tiger can be a little difficult. Tigers are passionate in the bedroom and very hardworking and loyal, but Tigers can be afflicted by self-doubt and mood swings. During these times, a Tiger needs one hundred percent support. A Tiger never wants to hear that he or she is wrong, and will not admit it. If a Tiger hurts your feelings, he or she will apologize with actions instead of words.

Tigers are natural candidates for leadership positions, and often find themselves in charge even if they did not volunteer for or want the position. Tigers hate to let people down and will work hard to inspire others and achieve change for the better.

When a Tiger is affected by the Element of Earth, the Chinese Zodiac says that he or she will be better able to focus without interruptions caused by his or her fiery temperament. These practical Tigers are much better at controlling their emotions. Although Earth Tigers still have a strong sense of right and wrong and will never hesitate to fight for what is right, they approach conflict in a more careful and controlled way. Because of this, Earth Tigers are far less likely to say something they will regret later in the heat of the moment.

An Earth Tiger is a powerful ally. Not only do they have strength, stamina, and no hesitation when it comes to standing up for their friends, but they are able to calmly assess a situation and bring all of the power of their intellect to bear. Earth Tigers are easier mates to deal with because they are more likely to consider consequences before acting.
An Earth Tiger will be better with practical matters, like finances, than other Tigers are. Since Earth Tigers do not get nearly as caught up in mood swings, they are less likely to throw away their savings on their latest project, or go on a shopping spree to improve a depressed mood. 

These Tigers are still wonderfully passionate and romantic, and you will never be bored in a relationship with an Earth Tiger."  Source: http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-year/earth-tiger.html

The Tyger

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, 

In the forests of the night; 

What immortal hand or eye, 

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies. 

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain, 

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp, 

Dare its deadly terrors clasp! 

When the stars threw down their spears 

And water'd heaven with their tears: 

Did he smile his work to see?

Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger Tyger burning bright, 

In the forests of the night: 

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Image: Songs of Innocence and of Experience: The Tyger (Plate 42), 1794/ca. 1825, 
William Blake, British, 1757–1827.

And Proclaimed

With poet's pen a quest to write
Of the eternal now be shadow or light
With paint, brush, color and motion
In glory be this hour's devotion
'Tis the Muse whose call you heed
And proclaimed is the Creator's creed.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Click on image for larger view
Songs of Innocence and of Experience: The Tyger (Plate 42), 1794/ca. 1825
William Blake (British, 1757–1827)
Relief etchings printed in orange-brown ink, heightened with watercolor and shell gold, with hand-painted decorative borders.

The Wind and The Willow

Review of
Rose Marie Raccioppi’s
The Wind and the Willow

“Are these assumptions of reality/The shackles that need to be broken[?]”queries Rose Marie Raccioppi in “Possibility,” from The Wind and the Willow, her first collection of verse. The line is emblematic of her core pursuit to pierce beyond the illusory veils of the material world while paradoxically being dependent upon reality for drawing imagery to provide intimations of the “Beyond.”

A non-denominational devotional poet with fervent pantheistic longings, Raccioppi’s metaphors and unpretentious affirmations appeal directly to the heart. In this volume she creates a metaphysical poetry and is content to take her simple Shelleyan imagery wherever she finds it within nature’s bounty.

The Wind and the Willow consists mostly of brief meditations and what Raccioppi calls “mindscapes” which constantly seek calming epiphanies of self-recognition in the fleeting moments, even in the midst of turbulent and painful experience. At her best, in works such as “This Night Knows No Sleep,” “This a Winter’s Night,” “Away You Fly,” “Descent No More,” “But Can I Share,” “The Wind and the Willow,” “Swaddling Divine,” and “Now and Ever Blessed,” Raccioppi attains perceptual clarity and an incantatory music that might remind readers, by turns, of Henry Vaughan’s devotional lyrics, Walt Whitman’s celebrations of the unbridled Self, the near-improvisatory freshness of D.H. Lawrence’s “Pansies,” and William Blake’s “Songs of Innocence.” This is poetry that is designed to reach a broad audience.

John Ballard

Available at Barnes and Noble and online booksellers nationally and internationally.
Pub. Date: June 2008
ISBN-13: 9781604744545

Special Announcement:
THE WIND AND THE WILLOW
Now available in hardcover and softcover directly from Publish America.
Click on title, place title in search bar of Publish America Entry Page.
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ENJOY!

The Wind
all pervading
free
one with all direction
The Willow
rooted ever in search
branch and leaf so humbly bend
holding to the wind
the light
and the unseen Presence
Wind and Willow, so I am
thought, mind and spirit
all pervading
free
one with all direction
holding to the unseen Presence.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


And now it is late afternoon this very day

Perceived joy in this moment real
A sense of oneness I shall not conceal
The lilting exuberance, the embracing calm
Life in all its blossoming, its abundance, its wondrous charm
This moment barren of loss, fear, regret or sorrow
Holds the promise of BEING, this moment, this hour, this day, a tomorrow
This spirit, this soul, this life bequeathed to me
Ever was, ever is and ever shall BE.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Review of
Rose Marie Raccioppi’s
The Wind and the Willow

“Are these assumptions of reality/The shackles that need to be broken[?]”queries Rose Marie Raccioppi in “Possibility,” from The Wind and the Willow, her first collection of verse. The line is emblematic of her core pursuit to pierce beyond the illusory veils of the material world while paradoxically being dependent upon reality for drawing imagery to provide intimations of the “Beyond.”

A non-denominational devotional poet with fervent pantheistic longings, Raccioppi’s metaphors and unpretentious affirmations appeal directly to the heart. In this volume she creates a metaphysical poetry and is content to take her simple Shelleyan imagery wherever she finds it within nature’s bounty.

The Wind and the Willow consists mostly of brief meditations and what Raccioppi calls “mindscapes” which constantly seek calming epiphanies of self-recognition in the fleeting moments, even in the midst of turbulent and painful experience. At her best, in works such as “This Night Knows No Sleep,” “This a Winter’s Night,” “Away You Fly,” “Descent No More,” “But Can I Share,” “The Wind and the Willow,” “Swaddling Divine,” and “Now and Ever Blessed,” Raccioppi attains perceptual clarity and an incantatory music that might remind readers, by turns, of Henry Vaughan’s devotional lyrics, Walt Whitman’s celebrations of the unbridled Self, the near-improvisatory freshness of D.H. Lawrence’s “Pansies,” and William Blake’s “Songs of Innocence.” This is poetry that is designed to reach a broad audience.

John Ballard

Available at Barnes and Noble and online booksellers nationally and internationally.
Pub. Date: June 2008
ISBN-13: 9781604744545