The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

YES, an enchantment that calls to the depths of our BEING... the quest for beauty, light, truth, given onto life by life itself in the name of our Lord.

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree, a tale of love, sacrifice, resurrection, ascension, the soul of spirit within, and so we REJOICE...

THE LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew

To a towering size with a lovely hue.

Its branches were strong and interwoven

And for Christ’s cross, its timbers were chosen.

Being distressed at the use of the wood

Christ made a promise which still holds good:

“Not ever again shall the dogwood grow

To be large enough for a tree, and so

Slender and twisted it shall always be

With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.

The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown

And in the blossom’s center a thorny crown.

All who see it will think of Me,

Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.

Protected and cherished this tree shall be

A reflection to all of My agony.”

Anonymous

The legend has been passed down 

through the generations here in America 

since the early 1900s. 

It reminds us of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

The beauty, the bloom, the blessings of a Dogwood Tree have been with me, in my garden, outside of my window, for the last 55 years here in Tappan, New York. Each Spring its enchantment calls to the depths of my BEING...each Summer by its leaves that flourish, each Fall by the brilliance of its crimson array, each Winter as it holds to light, cloaked by snow crystals, and yes, I REJOICE Behold I its flower in bloom, its blessings, its grace, its reverent beauty. 

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

Reference: https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/the-legend-of-the-dogwood/

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Frivolity Divine

 

Flowering Dogwood in splendor of white

Glistening edges, cast they the light

Branch and bough in splendor be

Such be the favor of the Dogwood tree

Feel I its joy, its frivolity divine

Such be the gift of Spring and time

Gentle be the feel of such petals of grace

Their whispers heard within souls place

In the morning Sun heed I this benediction of love

Bloom, beauty, the enfolds of the firmament above.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Dogwood, Spring, 2022, CAR, Collectible Clicks, 

©Rose Marie Raccioppi.

~

Blooms of the Dogwood Tree

 

joyful tidings greet the rising sun

the song bird song in glory sung

sweet be the delicate white blooms of the dogwood tree

life in pulsing splendor this day gifted onto me

grass touched by the morning dew glistens in the light

the scamper of squirrels, 'tis Spring's delight

the NOW in PRESENCE divine

this breath of life, 'tis yours, 'tis mine

and what may our destiny in God's light be

the giving, the receiving, the bloom, the living alchemy.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Blooms of the Dogwood Tree, Photo: CAR, Collectible Clicks, 

©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2022.

~

In response to this offering a dear friend, 

Ilene Cestaro Langley, 

sent onto to me 

her most favored legend.

Enjoy

https://bowerandbranch.com/blogs/trees/the-legend-of-the-dogwood?

~

Outside My Window

a canvas to behold

nature in artistry divine

the white of the sky

illumed by the brilliance

of the sun's light

this so magically cast

upon the white blossoms

of the dogwood tree

as the glistening leaves

of the lithe bamboo

hold to tones of green

in reflective splendor

this outside my window

a gallery of glory.

the window open

hear I the serenade

songbirds near and far

feel I the warming sun

my words, echoes

of a heart touched

by nature's canvas

alchemic strokes of light

this hour beheld.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Such Be the Gift

Such Be the Gift 

Touches of crimson on the dogwood tree

'Tis the play of color in this season to be

Each leaf holds glimmers of gold

Within, the story of days be told

'Tis Summer's end, hail to the Autumn anew

Treasures of color in many a hue

Such be the gift of tree and time

The breath of beauty, the pulse sublime.

Rose Marie Raccioppi 

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York 

Crimson Upon Dogwood, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2015.

At my front door here in Tappan, New York... Bloom and Splendor

favors of Spring this day be known
the blessings of rain be they shown
at my door in beckoning glee
leaf and bloom upon each tree
and from the sky so high above
the sweet rain of nature's love
upon grass, leaf, branch and bough
droplets holding to Spring's sacred vow
lush and green blessings brought to me
bloom and splendor of the Dogwood tree.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Dogwood, Photo: PFR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2014.

...'tis yours 'tis mine...

joyful tidings greet the rising sun

the song bird song in glory sung

sweet be the delicate white blooms of the dogwood tree

life in pulsing splendor this day gifted to me

grass touched by the morning dew glistens in the light

the scamper of squirrels, 'tis Spring's delight

the NOW in PRESENCE divine

this breath of life, 'tis yours, 'tis mine

and what may our destiny in God's light be

the giving, the receiving, the living alchemy.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetowm, New York 

Dogwood, Photo: CAR, Colectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 20114

Bloom and Splendor

favors of Spring this day be known
the blessings of rain be they shown
at my door in beckoning glee
leaf and bloom upon each tree
and from the sky so high above
the sweet rain of nature's love
upon grass, leaf, branch and bough
droplets holding to Spring's sacred vow
lush and green blessings brought to me
bloom and splendor of the Dogwood tree.
 
Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Dogwood, Photo: PFR, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2012.

October's Gift This Hour

As I step into my garden I to greet
The sounding feel of leaves below my feet
A quiet presence deep within
All calmed is the daunting din
From that mighty Oak tree ever strong and tall
This blanket of fallen leaves, gift of Fall
Amber, red, orange and colors of gold
Trees of Birch, Dogwood, mark time and a story told
Leaves alight and with winds do flee
Season of change the presence of Fall's decree
Torrential rain and south winds yesternight
Harken to the rising of morning's new light
The messengers of storm now silent of sound
Leaves, twigs and branches rest upon ground
Warming sun yet chilled be the morning air
October's gift this hour, sky so blue so fair.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Photo : Bruno Monginoux / www.Landscape-Photo.net