Is It

Is it brush in hand and thought in heart
From which this painting has its start
Where comes this call I hear as mine
Word, color and form these gifts of time
Is it the Muse that summons the soul
Beauty be the quest, beauty be the goal
And when in completion a work is to be
Is it the Muse I hear in joyful reverie
Is it Truth that anoints each new day
With the knowing path of the spirit's way
Ever present this reach to do and create
Welcome I Truth, the Muse, Destiny and Fate
God be known in what I receive and give
This be the decree for each moment I live
Is it when faith and knowing jointly resound
That God and the Muse so freely are found
So be it brush or pen in heart, mind or hand
It is to be in the Creator's fullest command.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Quest, Watercolor, Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2000, www.apogeeart.com

...at this hour of noon... Miss Not

miss not the warming glow of the noon sun
miss not the chilled air upon your cheeks
miss not the gentle rustle of the barren trees
miss not the wondrous expressions of Winter's day
the scamper of squirrels upon the towering oak
the songbird perched
the lambent sky
the light behind the moving clouds
gentle gentle be this noon hour
the PRESENCE
miss not
miss not
miss not.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladytimeless/with/6607592431/