Straight Talk

 

Asked, "Do poets ever use 'straight talk'?

                                        ... and I in response ...

I choose words that are known by the heart, understood by the soul, bear witness to the wonders of nature, the intelligence of creation, the depth of feelings, the language of the emotions that seek beauty, resolve, and love. How one hears this deliverance, is how open one is to acknowledge that 'straight talk' can simply mean what goes straight to the core of BEING and the call of LIFE.   

Rose Marie Raccioppi

APOGEE Poet

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

www.thepoetspen.com

The Eternal ~ The Initiation ~ Spellbound...

 

The Eternal ~ The Initiation

The fascination with the deep telling of words has held constant since 7 years of age. It was at this time that 'Spelling Bees' were part of a school day. I vowed to be a perfect, 'speller.' To respect ever letter, be it voiced, be it silent, be it a vowel, be it a consonant. As a young poet, and with the maturity of the years, WORDS, by way of their letters, their configurations, their sounding frequencies... bring forth a collective call, and so, as I look to the vowels, the spirit, the breath of the word, EXPERIENCE... behold I the reoccurring E - the Eternal, and the I - the Initiation... and spellbound I BE by the eternal, by the initiation of light, life and BEING.

Within folds of slumber by the light of evening stars
Take I the celestial chariot to vistas afar
Galaxies of splendor and wondrous array
Where day is night and night is day
Timeless motion of flight there be
Above the pulsing waves of the celestial sea
By stellar winds to the light of PRESENCE be told
This a vision of eternity in grace ever to behold.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

WORDS in Revelation

APOGEE Poet

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

in blessings of the eternal, the initiation,

as each moment, each day unfolds.

Image: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap121118.html

~

Life, BEING and the Sea

within a sea of emotions cresting real

waves of pain, of joy beyond conceal

this day marked with tides gone by

a pause, a reflection, a deep deep sigh

confusion and dismay

be news brought our way

passions and longings to assail

a vision of resolve, and change we to hail

beyond the shadows cast our light be known

by the love and mercy our hearts have shown

there is a rhythm within Earth divine

and so too, of BEING, yours and mine

this ebb and flow, the constant there be

this of Life, BEING and the Sea

we hold to the call, the sea cresting within

and hushed be the discordant, this raucous din.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Photo Credit: John Raheb 

A Sunday Meditation… An Awakening...

A Sunday Meditation… An Awakening...

     When these is an awakening… 
          and what it is, IS…Inspired Spirit…
               when LIFE becomes the C O N T E N T , 
                    the meaning, the primordial experience, 
                        when breath becomes the rapture,
                             the inborn receiving, the giving 
                                  from LIFE to LIFE,
                                       the C O N T E N T reveals itself,  
                                           Its embrace is felt in an astounding revelation
                                               A word, a concept, a calling of each letter, 
                                                    the awakening to  C O N T E N T...

                                    Creation

                                        Omnipresence

                                            Nurturance

                                                 Treasure

                                                      Exchange

                                                           Need

                                                                Truth

… and so beloved be this companionship of BREATH and LIFE.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
APOGEE Poet

Awakened Faith, APOGEE Vibrational Art, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 

The Sounding Light Collection, 

www.thesoundinglight.blogspot.com.

Cloak of Dawn... Threads of Time...

Threads of time, experiences, thoughts, visions, within the moment, 

within each season of change... ever the Cloak of Dawn...

we gave a cry and all rejoiced for this our birth complete
we are our first steps greeted with open arms
our first word that brought an admiring smile...

trace the years and their memories await anew
a montage, a kaleidoscope, of one's life view
sounds, impressions, of place time and moments sweet
where our dreams and our days come to meet
praise, punishment, joy and pain come to define
a life known as rightly yours, a life lived as mine
and what brings reason to pause this very day
but the wondrous Creation given by Life along its way
decades of moons have brought mystery and delight
magical be this waxing and waning of Creation's light
and so this heart, this soul, in time's grasp and claim
be held in the spirit and glory of our Creator's name
be it of yesterdays or days yet, and dreams enfold
each new gaze, a breath, a sigh, be this our story told
with threads of time cloak of dawn we weave
be it the warp and weft of Divinity conceived.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown,  New York

Cloak of Dawn, APOGEE Vibrational Art, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2013.

There Is

By perceiving your own beauty, you will see yourself in the flowers, the sky, the clouds, the water, and the oceans.  Don Miguel Ruiz

...and so...

There Is

there is a PRESENCE within that knows
there is a FAITH within that believes
there is a JOY within that loves
there is a SPIRIT within that soars
what be this
what be this knowing
this believing
this loving
this soaring
it is each breath of LIFE
beyond fear and doubt
it is each breath of LIFE
pulsing with grace and gratitude
it is each breath of LIFE
embracing the very miracle of SELF
it is
the pond in stillness
the stream that bubbles
the river that flows
the ocean that roars
the constant ebb and flow
the sun that rises
the sun that sets
the waxing and waning of the moon
the stars that sparkle
the vistas far
the trees, the brush, the vines
the seeds, the flowers, the bloom
all living creatures of land, sea and sky
the bounty, the harvest
the LIGHT known
it is ALL that gives
it is ALL that receives
it is LIFE breathing its myriad of breaths
it is the I AM
it is the I AM.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Arising Light, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011-2012.

In Memorial, 2010

In memorial and reverence stand we
Held our right to be free
Hearts and souls in valor known
Right intention and devotion shown
Battlefields of victory and plight
Through all beheld freedom's light
Others before us in peace they lay
And gather in gratitude we this day
Sons and daughters, husbands and wives
Children of purpose have given their lives
The breath of freedom an endowment divine
Bequeathed to life yours, life mine.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet of the Year
Orangetown, New York

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, Joe Rosenthal's historic photo depicts five United States Marines and one sailor raising an American flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The image is an Associated Press photograph that won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography. It was taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945.

YouTube - National Anthem USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_yVxDyB9s

Letters~Words~Yantras~Mantras

Letters
Each letter a yantra
Form
Configuration
Seen
Felt
Each letter a mantra
Sound
Voiced
Heard
Silent

Words
Symbols of sensibilities
Echoes of consciousness
Thoughts
Mind in translation
Create, speak, sing, write
Define
Need
Desire
Quests
Visions
Define
Objects
Emotions
Ideas
Spiritual longings
All
Reflection
Upon
LIFE
A word, a state of Being
LIFE
The ever present sounding of
Love
Inspiration
Freedom
Eternal.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother and Creation in Celebration
In Reflection

There is purpose and plan
Within each heart of man
When life is given anew
The gift of time is bestowed upon you
Days to mark a quest, a desire
And known be life's passion, life's fire
Peace and love to embrace each day
And known be the Glory to God I pray.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


After the Bath, Oil on canvas, c. 1901 , Mary Cassatt, American, 1844 - 1926.

Eternity

LIFE is GOOD
and so offers
Love
Inspiration
Freedom
Eternity
We each are the bearers of its gifts

Much love to you and yours
for each moment
present and eternal
2010.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

POET OF THE YEAR
Orangetown, New York
2010



Chinese Character for Eternity (Yung)

"This simple and poetic character for eternity- formed around the image of running 'water,' with the two horizontal strokes 'denoting form and ripples' - contains the seven fundamental strokes in calligraphy, from which every character in the Chinese language can be made." "The Spirit of the Chinese Character," Barbara Aria with calligraphy by Russell Eng Gon.

A 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
♥

Visions Of Time

What are you supposed to be
What of you do you let others see
Reflections, images, visions of time
Seized and cast upon a lifeline
Whose voice do you hear
What is it you fear
Markers are embraced
Life is here traced
I journey now to meet an end
Where moments past the future blend
First born daughter of seven years past
Compliance, response, obedience to last
Love takes shape in what is done
Work, labor, you deserve not fun
Your sun does rise, it does set
Reach out dear child, you may touch yet
Work to do, people to please
A longing that knows not ease
Woman I am and I am led
Searching for one and I do wed
And with now a life of two
I try to reach me anew
Yet I am not to be found
In what is all around
I once again need to shout
This is not what I am about
Heed my warning call
Least you catch me I shall fall
And so a mother I will be
With sons that number three
A need to reach, a need to know
I must recapture that gentle glow
And what I am in life's embrace
Is me, you, time and place
And what I bring to you this time
Is but a shadow of a lifeline
For what I may yet know and be
Is known by the tomorrow in me
Write your story as you go along
Yes! sing out, its your life's song.

Written
November 5, 1980

––––––––––

Three decades of tomorrows now past
New markers placed and have been cast
Sons grown and gifted are you
With grandchildren that number two
Widowed you have become
And so now you live as one
Vistas of knowing have you pursued
To bring meaning to all you do
Educator, activist, advocate defined
Knowing, understanding, no longer confined
Art, music, poetry, delights newly shown
Exhibits, readings, a blog, now known
My reach to cyberspace, my son's plea
Mom, he states, ..."this is where you are to be"
What you have learned, how much you do care
Post it, blog it, it is time for you to share
So off to blog land I did decide to go
There I found others who search to know
And so this tomorrow blesses me still
Tidings within of God's loving will
Shared with you this very night
The embrace of spirit, love and light.

Written
October 2. 2009

––––––––––

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Clock image courtesy of: www.grandfatherclocksite.com/


Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
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.
Thank you for your order.
ENJOY

Longing

Does that longing set at the start
At that moment the cut given to part
Held in a mother’s womb you be
Then with birth newly free
From lifetimes of pleasure and pain
Life now a newly set game
Yet the need for care and protection to grow
Discount and dismiss what you deeply know
And then I am as others perceive me to be
Lost I somewhere in the shadow of me
The soul sings freedom a welcomed refrain
Then gone the shadow then gone the pain
The longing that had its start
In this moment does depart
And I in freedom and light cease to be
Somewhere lost in the shadow of me
Guided by TRUTH and God's loving care
Stand I free of longing and despair.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Mother and Child, Oil on Canvas, 1865, Lord Frederick Leighton, 1830-1896


Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
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.
Thank you for your order.
ENJOY!

On Being a Woman

Holding to the Wonder
Aware of the Omnipresent
Feeling the Marvel
Living the Aspiration
Fulfilling Need
Words to define what it is to be a woman
Come from the special meaning of who we are
With grace we receive and provide the ultimate giving
With love we nurture
With question we pursue
With pain we give birth and revel in its miracle
With persistence we provide
We are blessed to be
The receiver and giver of life.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Madonna of the Pomegranate, Tempera on panel c. 1487, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Sandro Botticelli, 1445 - 1510.


Special Announcement:
Read the Review of The Wind and the Willow
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.
Thank you for your order.
ENJOY!

Rose Marie

Rose Marie

A confident stance and innocent pride
A blissful knowing she need not hide
Smile and eyes a story they tell
Hers is a spirit never to quell
Decades of time temper not her quest
To live the moment ever blessed
To this very day she makes life's claim
To share life and glory in God's name
She answers to the call Rose Marie
Each day newly introduced is she to me
Word, pen, brush and paint she does toy
And so very pleased to share her joy
Today is her Birthday marked by time
And I in celebration for this life mine.

Rose Marie Raccioppi