Chief Seattle's speech (by Mark Sawalha)

stillness pulsing
quietude sounding
I in the embrace of PRESENCE.

I hear the silence
the harmonies, the music
of the sun by day
of the stars and moon by night
I hear the melodies of the firmament in vistas near and far
the rustle of leaves, 'tis the dance of winds
'tis the call of flowing waters
the resounding cresting waves
the thunderous rains echoing from afar
the songbirds heralding the dawn
I hear the silence
the wisdom of the ancients
ALL is sound and ALL is silence
the PRESENCE be known
the rapture be felt
the WORD proclaims its TRUTH.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

...colors...

..colors...

brilliant be
this October day
a sunset hour
in glorious array.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Sunset Hour, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Quietude

quietude
this stillness of mind
into the dark depths of silence
from this abyss
emergent be soul's light.



Rose Marie Racioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Quietude, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Seasons of Change

seasons of change be they ever known
by the love and praise we have shown
live as we may a metaphor sweetly sublime
the waxing and waning, the breath of light divine
the rising and setting of each day's sun
our tasks, our deeds, destiny's work done
and when we pause in reverie's embrace
each blessing to hold to its sacred place
precious be these treasured moments to share
all in the glory of God's loving care.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York



Abundance Be, Photo Composite, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.
click on image for larger view

...this Autumn morning...touches of gold...

Bamboo in graceful bow and sway
Holding the sun’s light in brilliant verdant array
In joyous abandon the silence to greet
The chorus of sound as leaf and wind meet
Dancing shadows of supple canes I to behold
Among the lithe and lush leaves touches of gold
Leaves and canes in supple surrender bow
Beauty, strength, gentleness be the bamboo’s vow
'Tis early morn, gifts of this Autumn day
The wind, the song and bamboo canes at play.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Touches of Gold, Photo: Bamboo, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

Night Winds Chant

the night winds chant their refrain
heard be the crickets song
the rains drum a choral interlude
crimson leaves take to the wind's call
a crescendo this night, 'tis Fall 'tis Fall.



Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


The Night Winds Chant, Image, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2011.

His Gifts Be Known... Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent, yours is a world known to me
As I grasp at this meaning of Be
Light and fields, people and purpose defined
I in plea proclaim do not confine
Bar restraint and perception veiled
Vincent your gift of knowing has prevailed
With awe and sighs anew your art so perceived
And blessed for the inexplicable conceived.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York


Wheat Field Behind Saint-Paul Hospital with a Reaper, Painting, Oil on Canvas, Saint-Rémy, September, 1889, Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany, Europe,
Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890.

Vincent Van Gogh perceived the vibrating energy of light and life itself. He captured the quivering, pulsing fields that embraced his vision. All was moving, all was dimension, all was effect. I experienced the deepest of pleasure in being present with Van Gogh's original works on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.