Raccioppi Shares Introduction to Orangetown History
Orangetown Poet Laureate Rose Marie Raccioppi wrote the introduction to a book about the history of Orangetown.
Orangetown Poet Laureate Rose Marie Raccioppi wrote a poem entitled Orangetown, Rich in History.
The poem will serve as the introduction to Orangetown, a book about the history of Orangetown that will go on sale Jan. 16, 2012.
Raccioppi shared the poem at the Orangetown Town Board meeting Dec. 13 and gave framed copies to all five members of the board. The text is below. Please see the video attached to this article to hear Raccioppi read part of the poem.
Orangetown, Rich in History
A vision held with in each heart
From which a righteous quest had its start
Freedom's Plea with words defined
Orangetown Resolutions, July 4, 1774 were signed
The Declaration of Independence to follow its path
Man to be beyond oppression, domination and wrath
Major Andre, Benedict Arnold conspiracy and travail
Be it Truth and Justice ever to prevail
Washington-Carleton papers in 1783 signed and sealed
The heart and pulse of freedom in words revealed
And so declared a nation new to soar
A seventeen gun salute at Palisades shore
Snedens Landing in memorial be
A beacon holding fast Freedom's decree
Rich lands for labor and toil
Bounty and abundance from land and soil
Enterprise, intervention, production to serve need and desire
Each vision alight with Freedom's flame and fire
And with freedom's defense and call anew
Be there World War II
From Camp Shanks soldiers to foreign shores they be
Hold they dear the protected right to live Free
Change during yeras past and present to prevail
Orangetown, Rich in History, we with heart hail.
Rose Marie Raccioppi
8:46 am on Friday, December 16, 2011
Thank You for bringing these heartfelt words to the Patch community.
Rose Marie Raccioppi
8:26 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
I was asked how do you know you are a poet...
I answered...
and so it is...
when you find bits of paper in your pocket bearing lines
when you realize you did not take your vitamins because you forgot to eat
when you keep writing even though the pencil point is broken
when you hear words in your heart and cannot write them fast enough
when you hear the crackle of a fallen leaf and know it is a song
when you see a smile and feel the wondrous charm of joy
when you are embraced by the MUSE that refuses to let go
when you hear silence and know it is an orchestra divine
when you grasp the lint in your pocket and feel its inspiration
when you see each season by its ceaseless cycles of grace
when you find that every expression, every gesture of nature calls your attention
when you breathe and feel the miracle of life that is you
when you sigh in delight and amazement at the poem you just completed
and so it is ... you know.
Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York
Rose Marie Raccioppi
6:35 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Town Government and the voices heard... The democratic process, the freedom of expression, the discernment among differences, the knowing motivations, the personal interpretations and perceptions, each thread weaves the fabric of an Orangetown Town Board Meeting. To see numbers gather and to hear the voices of care, concern and commitment is to know that freedom of expression is indeed the American Way!!