Category Archives: Contemplation

Poems arrrived at by the thought process that makes one think a little – hopefully

Begin the Ending 2015-154

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Confusion reigns in the minds of people that are not capable of comprehending their existence. Where to start the understanding process and when to stop, creates a confusion of existence to some. What is written may not be rational to those that have never experienced the complexities of life in a convoluted way of being.

 

Begin the Ending     2015-154

 

When is the beginning or the end?

How does the mind comprehend

what is right and what is wrong or incorrect

The ending does not justify the whole

or the beginning.

 

The continuation does not seem important

when the ending is known beforehand

The absence of valor is not cowardice

in the mind of the one afraid.

 

Infinity is never ending, no beginning

and no stopping

The absence of living is forevermore,

ever ongoing without ending.

 

Pain is an expression of living,

knowing of one’s existence.

A lack of feeling is non-living

and a total void of existence

 

I hear the voice of reason, but

the words are meaningless.

The sound of my internal thoughts

cry out for recognition, but are garbled

in the process of understanding.

 

What was once known is now confusion,

my mind is capable, but cannot comprehend

what is and what should be

I think, but do not care or

feel confident of rationality.

 

Den Betts

Car Ride 2015-152

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To daydream and wonder what others are doing and thinking is a rare luxury of doing nothing except thinking.  I can remember my wife’s driving the car at the time and I was in the passenger seat looking out – thinking.

I was not in control of the driving as she was at the time, and I had to relinquish the driving to her, due to an automobile accident.  I hated not being able to drive and being dependent on others. This poem came to mind as I sat there, helping her put on the brake, accelerate and make the turns—–without effect.

Car Ride 2015-152

Staring out the car window,

I day dream as the world goes by.

Looking at the trees, the people,

And many other things.

Everyone doing their own thing,

In their own way.

Thinking private thoughts,

In their minds, just as I.

High-tension wire towers,

And sentinels of light poles,

Watching over as testimony to our

Style of high-speed life.

The wispy clouds in the misty sky

Between the stands of pine,

All there, all watching,

Staring at me as I go by.

The luxury of just thinking and no

Actions required, just thoughts

A peaceful refrain of life

Without consequences or worry

Den Betts

 

 

Forgiving and Forgetting 2015-150

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This is a subject that comes up quite often and we tend to ignore this subject, because of varied reasons. It is hard to forgive at times, but much harder to forget. Some thoughts on this to contemplate……………..

Forgiving and Forgetting 2015-150

I was discussing this subject with a friend and decided to post it as a form of thought. We were talking  about forgiving and forgetting in the context of humans, but I believe God was brought into the equation also. So the below is taken from my email to him, which I thought I would share……….

I have been thinking about this. It is one thing to forgive someone, just as I believe God does when we pray and ask for forgiveness of our sins, such as during the Lord’s Prayer.

I think we were bringing up, does God then forget the sin that was forgiven or do we, when someone does a dastardly act to us, do we forget the act even after we say we have forgiven them for doing it.

As for God, I believe he can choose NOT to remember the sin, but he does not lose them from His memory. He would put them aside; He would ignore them and not bring them up after we have repented.  For us as humans, we could, if we love a person, for instance, choose not to act in revenge for the act done to us. If we do this, the memory itself would tend to decline, even if it is not completely forgotten.

God, even though He has not forgotten, decides to forgo prosecuting us for the sins we have done. This allows us to see the understanding of God’s expectations of us for them.  In the same respect for us humans, this would free us; free us from things like revenge against the other person. I would think that the freeing gives us a chance to discern the difference between remembering with a vengeful heart versus remembering to make life better for each of us.

It takes more love to be hurt and choose not to remember, by forgetting, than remembering over and over again what ever happened. Maybe God’s absolute love for us, really does absolutely remove our sins from his infinite mind.

Some quotes on this subject:

“To forgive takes love, to forget takes humility” per Mother Teresa

“Remember, when you forgive, you heal. And when you let go (forget) you grow.” Unknown

“The FIRST to Apologize is the bravest. The FIRST to Forgive is the strongest. The FIRST to Forget is the happiest.   Unknown

“To forgive and not forget is like burying the hatchet with the handle sticking out.” U nknown

“The Stupid neither forgive nor forget; the Naïve forgive and forget; the Wise forgive, but do not forget” Unknown      —–Two sides in everything and in all minds……..

What does your mind think?

Peace

Den

 

I researched this on the Net from various sources, but do not remember which ones or where right now. Suffice to say, I am not that smart to think many things out myself so give thanks to anyone that helped me formulate my thoughts on this subject.

Dream Sequence 2015-149

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I have been blessed with something that is not hard to say, but prudent to not do so today. What was then remains as is, and that is good. To some, I now speak in riddles and am not being so factual, but that is the way I feel I must. I am open with some things I state, guarded with most, but feel I am still truthful to self, without a fault……. With luck, perhaps nobody will read this—LOL……..

 

Dream Sequence 2015-149

I thought I had stood by a shoreline

Staring over still water toward the horizon

A white bird flew by, shrill voice screaming

Does not the gull see all, I thought, as it went on?

 

The sand was warm from the distant sun

Life’s peace broken only by the gentle waves

A soft caress of wind on skin

Not clothed by garments made by man.

 

Tranquility abided in my heart

I prayed that it remain so and did not part

Was I dreaming – had non-reality come and won

And all that seen was just imagination?

 

I saw a vision one time that was SO real

Then another, that was not scary, but surreal

Was I dreaming then, much like the seashore

Or was that reality, like life, a fact of being?

 

Den Betts

Dawn’s Awakening 2015-148

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What does it take to be brutally honest and forthwith? When does one hold back, or the opposite — thrown out for all to see? Where does one go to escape the truth and be just glad to be alive? Why does one have to not be oneself and pretend to be that which others want us to be? Who is the decider of things for each of us to be – just be? The existence of a sunrise or the stillness of a rainbow – all to be appreciated to the fullest!!!!!!!  Random thoughts from a random mind – going through time.

 

Dawn’s Awakening 2015-148

A bane from a not so

distant past creates thoughts

lasting ever more,

The neuro people delving in

current mind; exploring

those things hard to find.

An innocence

at dawns awakening,

gives birth to thoughts untold.

Release, release of

inhibition now,

with escape of disquietude.

May the truth be told and

be so bold, of telling of

inner feeling.

Recesses explored with those truths

bared forth and desires

kept in; now sharing.

Den Betts

Black Man-Child 2015-147

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I doubt if some will like this one. I think of those that like to be politically correct and not mention things that sometimes, need mentioned.  I have seen the newscasts of the celebrations of Martin Luther King and have thoughts about the man and the actions that still occur on a regular basis. When WILL a person stand up and take the place of Mr. King and help lead those that need led. There HAVE been many changes made, but there is much more to be done……..

Black Man-Child 2015-147

The eyes darting up the street,

Shifting to this and that.

Looking at all and at nothing,

Not trusting movement seen.

His feet tied to nervous legs,

Pressure one to another.

Letting anyone know with doubt,

Of how he feels the moment.

False bravado of being a member,

Of a gang in the neighborhood.

So young to be so old in living,

With a dead end future life.

The black man-child thereby stood,

Without knowing exactly why, waiting.

Martin Luther dreamed, but died,

And did, somehow, the hope went with him?

No one really followed and took up the reins,

To lead the others to his wish.

Was it meant to be – his death,

As a test of those left behind?

Maybe an unselfish man is out there,

Common, black, with a spark of faith.

Biding his time to speak aloud,

And lead his own to a better life.

When or will it happen – only God knows,

While the black man-child stands waiting.

 

Den Betts

 

I am positive that some will object to what I have written and I do not want to speculate as to who or what group would do so. There are always two or more sides to a position and I realize this fact. We as a society, have to do more to realize the differences and causes to the violence that occurs daily. It is time!!!!! Martin Luther King was a great man and it was terrible that he died, the way he did, before his dream became a

reality……

Abortion Decisions 2015-145

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I am NOT an anti-abortion advocate making a case here. I am simply stating some thoughts about the action. That being said, I do not believe on having abortions just for birth control. I heard about a younger adult having them over and over because that person is not thinking or not very careful with their lifestyles and that is not a reason for having them. Also, to deny a woman for making a decision is not mine to make and should not be a law of the land for all.

 

Abortion Decisions 2015-145     

 

A life that never had a chance for reasons that

are many; some sad, others necessary

 

Decided as a normal course

or action based on thought

 

Never one made by the one

so deep in a mother’s womb

 

Done as a method of birth control

medical necessity, or such

 

A woman’s right to decide a

fate of another human to be

 

Does a government’s have a right to

forbid this act at times

 

Yet, allow many executions

to occur – just a thought…

 

Is it wrong to decide this fate

of life of a being, or

 

Instead have us lob criticism

And be judgmental in or about life

 

Is it correct to say God is the final judge

in this, a decision of death.

 

This can be a complex issue, if

we allow it to be……….

 

 

Den Betts

Sense of War 2015-138

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I cannot really identify with the feelings expressed in this poem, but being a U.S. Marine, I have had friends that experienced at first hand the trials and tribulations of the horrors of war. An old Gunny Sergeant I knew would give me a 1000 yard stare of remembrance, when he related to me the things that happened on islands of the Pacific during WWII. I say old, but he was probably only around 40 at the time, whereas I was ONLY 21 or 22 then.  The related stories were unbelieveable, but true, due to the living of the time, the way it was for him…..

I wonder who we can give credit to for various wars. Obviously, certain leaders of countries have the overall blame or credit. But, then again, can we as individuals, look in the mirror and say we have partial blame, by supporting those in power, not stating our beliefs enough against war, waving the flag of our country as a national pride issue, and on and on and on…….  Is war necessary? Is war justified? I will save that for another time……….

Sense of War 2015-138

How sad the eyes that peer outside

Which view the world with pain

The mouth set grim from thoughts that hide

the truth inside the brain

 

A shell of a rose from

upturned nose that covers

a putrid stench.

Both ears that hear the

mournful cries of beasts

within the trench.

 

The taste of blood upon torn

lips, bit from cries of anguish

A touch upon sallow face,

streaked with tears of sorrow.

 

A feeling left from a deadened heart

that hopes for the arrival of tomorrow

A sense of shame from being part

of a war that makes no sense.

 

Den Betts

Fight Within the Mind 2015-137

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The mind is something, many people take for granted through the course of their lives. Only, and often, only when something happens to it, do we sometimes become aware of its unique features, attributes, and certain characteristics. Then, we are brought forward into facing reality of what it is, how it is and its complexity of existence. When, after an accident, I spent months in the hospital and rehab, I came, finally, to terms with it, myself overall, and eventually others around me.

Fight Within the Mind 2015-137

The hardest battles to win,

are those fought within

The Mind

that gives not an inch

in fighting with itself.

Infernal strife with confusing thoughts

that pitch and close the reality of

The Mind

Grasping for an answer

long in coming.

Perhaps acceptance;

release from conflicts of

The Mind

seeking solitude and peace

from self taught struggles.

Den Betts

Unsafe 2015-128

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This is in reality, a depressing poem that I wrote after seeing a stupid criminal incident on TV one night. Living in the country, I do NOT have a feeling of being unsafe, but then again, I am always aware, so in that respect, I am guarded in my environment of life. I feel sad for those that live in areas that are prone to people that do not care, or have learned not to care about others, but that is life itself……….

Unsafe            2015-128

A ride downtown, a trip to see a circus clown

Or overnight to hear a singer of renown

All at jeopardy in this current way of life.

No one really safe in or out of house

 

No true haven amid the turmoil and strife

Aware, aware is the key of survival today

To know where, and what you

Are with living more than just a play.

 

At risk to those that want and have not

Who look at life as nothing they got

Be safe, be sure of who and when

And where you ramble,

 

As life is short and not secure;

So take care it does not unravel

As you travel in the road of life.

Easy to say perhaps, but not to do…..

 

Den Betts