Richard Ritacco

Nutley, NJ, USA

Richard, also known as Ricky, has been writing poetry and prose since his days in junior high school. He graduated from Nutley High School in 1972. He is a Customer Service Agent with Continental Airlines located at Newark International Airport in Newark, NJ. He is a member of People's Baptist Church of Clifton, NJ. His writings have been published in American Poets and by The National Library of Poetry in its publications, "A View From Afar" and "A Painted Garden." Ricky says he draws much strength from God and his family.

Sonne (Sun)

Let time harken to its master yet
Bearing an open heart to a closed mind
Engage that gray mass, less malice and regret
Remorseful be he who leaves nothing behind.

Deaden the hate which becomes a burning fuse
Lest a passing wind in all its might
Would be unwilling to follow a path we choose;
When at dawn's birth would seem a vainful plight

But love's gift may be nourished still
With the quiet restraint of a peaceful soul
Or love's travel with time will surely be nil
For always false words would appear to cajole

Oh! Just as life owes itself to the sun
All things must be loved or we will have none.

My Precious

Oh will our love through seasons
last;
Not spiteful lest we'll make it
past.
My want for you is true, I
pray;
For strength to know I will not
stray.
And was your touch not dear to
me;
The search would lead me to the
sea.
While waiting on the wind, your
voice,
I'll strain to hear that my love is
your choice.
Then when the bond is stronger
still;
Renew my love to you, I
will!

Consider the Rose

Love can be a pointless thorn
Piercing innermost sanctity
Love can also mean cherishing those
moments without you
Wanting yet more to hold you
As Venus envelopes the fly
And momentarily the present vanishes
As sea breezes follow their path
And sand pebbles remain but for a short time
Waiting helplessly for the inevitable tide.