Held By The Leaves

Majestic be the light held by the leaves

Luminous and radiant, a golden scarlet there be

Held I am, mesmerized by Nature's intensity

Alluring, magnetic be such treasures of Creation

Leaves caressed by the rapture of the abiding light 

Rhapsodies in this divine expression of BEING.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Photo: Held by the Leaves, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2014.

A Poetic Tribute ~ Veterans Day 2014 video by Art Cooke

In Gratitude and in Tribute... Veterans Day, 2014, Walkway of Heroes...

In Gratitude and in Tribute... Veterans Day, 2014

 these words presented at the 

Veterans Day Ceremony

Walkway of Heroes

Tappan, New York

On Memorial Day of this year, I had the honor of presenting a tribute to our Veterans. In preparation, I asked that words be shared that held the messages of gratitude for each life given, in the name of service to freedom. So too, I asked of Veterans whose valor and dedication yet resounds.

Heartfelt be these words and remembrances. Heartfelt be the sacrifices, the loss, the vision, the victory, the freedoms to prevail.

So this be known...

And they who for country and freedom in battle perish
We to weep and in loving memory with gratitude cherish
For each life that was lives in God's embrace sublime
Ever blessed be their souls in soaring grace divine

The pulsing, sounding, recording within our heart
From which memory and sentiment have their start
Of dearly loved ones who once filled our day
Their souls taken to another path, to the eternal way

We share gestures and words that lovingly hold to grace
And within our BEING it is tenderness we place
All in reflection of sacrifice and noble deed
The cry of Freedom, ever our living creed

The gifts of LIFE with vision blessed and bold
This the giving within each Veteran's story told
Loyalty, dedication, ascending care be they known
This in valor by our sons and daughters shown

Courage to hold to freedom's call and light
In perseverance the challenge be it day or night
Fortitude, strength, imbued with heart's noble call
Sacrifices of body, limb, in this a growing toll

And when returned to home's welcomed shore and land
Let us in caring response put support in command
It is resolve that humanity calls to be known
Within the grasps of faith, love and TRUTH be shown

The dream yet dreamed shall unfold
And PEACE to be the story told
This gift of knowing to mark the rising way
And we in tribute give honor this Veterans Day.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Photo Credit: Joe Gartner, JG Photography, 2014.

This a Sunday in November...

Sunday... a poetic tribute to our Veterans, a walk along tree lined roadways, 

a word with neighbors shared, this today...

Each tree yet holds to brilliant color
To the alchemic glory of Autumn
To the Creator's artistry
To the passions of beauty and change
Such reverent knowing of Nature
Such grandeur of time
Such be the blessed splendor
This a Sunday, a Sunday in November.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Sunday in November, Collectible Clicks, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2014.

As the leaves are taken by the wind... 

and the sunset in brilliant tones of crimson and blue...

A leaf, a life, each with its own season

Each with the many moons of time

Headlines, newscasts, many a story to be told

The grasp of a newborn's hand upon its mother's finger

A new season of life in blessed bloom

No armament has this child newly borne

No gun, no malice of heart

No call for destruction nor revenge

It is of a PRESENCE true

And what shall we sow

What seeds do we scatter for this life new

Let us reap the harvest of the Divine

Seedling of TRUTH, LOVE, FAITH

Fruits of PEACE and BROTHERHOOD

A leaf, a life, each with its own season

Each with the many moons of time.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Of Leaves

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 this be Fall's decree
Warming sun, touched by the morning air
November's  gift this hour, sky so blue so fair
These gems of trees in colors bright
Behold the benediction of  Creation's light.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Photo: Collectible Clicks, Rose Marie Raccioppi, Credit: Bruno Monginoux.

A leaf, a gem, a crystal, a mineral... and so I ponder...

Could leaves be the very messengers that speak the language of rubies, emeralds, jade, citrine, peridot, tourmaline, malachite? These among the myriad of gems of Creation... All Above All Below... each leaf, each tree, to feed the Earth, to transform the Light into crowning jewels. 

A leaf, a gem, a crystal, a mineral... and so I ponder...

Photo: Collectible Clicks, Rose Marie Raccioppi, Credit: Bruno Monginoux.

... the way of an artist..

...the way of an artist... I look at a color 

and feel its temperature, its texture, its vibrancy, its calling... 

and take a brush to its soul

 and upon canvas cast its beauty...

 And so the wind, its whispers heard...

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

And So The Wind, APOGEE Vibrational Art, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2014

At the Front Door...

The morning sun and the leaves to greet

Where the firmament and earth's bounty meet

Brilliant hues of Creation's light and knowing love

This before me in grandeur and in vistas above

Within its roots and branches all grace there BE

Budding green, flower white,  golden orange of the tree

Donned in Autumn's cloak of citrine hue

The wondrous, its treasures bestowed upon you

At the front door these gems I to behold

Within the leaf the season's story ever told

The morning sun and the leaves to greet

Where the firmament and earth's bounty meet.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

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