Category Archives: Poems

Grateful 2016-04

Posted in Poems, Statement by

How many things can you think of in the sense of being grateful for having them or experiencing them? How many things do we take for granted and should not have done so? Being grateful is, to a degree, being thankful also, at the same time. To live life at its fullest, and appreciate it at the same time can be hard to express, but I look in the mirror and I am Grateful for so many, many, many things…………

Grateful  2016-04

To be able to smell the flowers

see the trees, watch the birds fly,

and hear the honey bees buzz by

To attain the age of seventy, whereas

others dear have not; still be able

to walk and not have gone to pot

To have gone white water rafting

seen the Mammoth Cave, have fun at

Disneyworld and go to the Grand Canyon

and just stand and rave

To be called an ex-jarhead vet

and to have been an auxi-cop too,

and President of ASHRAE, plus have

sat on church council as President too,

plus have owned a thing called a ferret as a pet

To believe in  the God. as one to follow

and a family I’m proud of – a gem;

To be grateful for the things I have

and thankful that I have them.

Den Betts

Guns 2016-03

Posted in Poems, Statement by

I watched TV today, and listened to the President who, with tears running down his cheek, spoke about what he will do to help, in a small way, to lessen the killings that occur in our country today.          His plan will NOT stop the insane killings, but may help to save lives, in a way. The politicians who decry his efforts are owned by those that are against any common sense answer, and that is more than a shame.

          Guns 2016-03

How many times must we hear the words,

“Its not guns that kill, killers kill!”

How many times on the TV news,

Must we see the tears on a mothers cheek.

A child gunned down on a residential street,

Or a massacre in a family restaurant.

Do the lawmakers need additional vile lessons,

Of man’s inhumanity toward each other?

Or do the PAC’s or the NRA or others,

Control them that much, to stay in office.

The killing semi-automatics are not needed

By any populace of this country today.

While the gun powers outgun the police,

As the apathetic  citizens read or watch.

“Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns”

Is hype that is compared to only one thing, bull

“A rigid enforced law that guarantees prison, forever,

With no parole, if a weapon is used, might work.

But a bleeding heart society might feel sorry for him,

And his “time” will be lessened for more killing.

What is the answer; whatever it may be

Is much better than the way it is today.

Den Betts

Interview with God 2016-01

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

OK, I did NOT talk with God and get the results shown below! That being said, I have talked with God and our discussion will remain mine; for me to know, and for you, to sometime, find out. I had the below words come to mind, probably after seeing or hearing something that upset me in life, on TV, in person or when or whatever, so I am not that weird, just a little………..

Interview with God 2016-01

I asked Him, “What is life all about?”

He told me all that I had to know.

I talked about the world and its problems today,

He listened and didn’t respond right away.

 

I told him I wanted to know what I could do in giving

He stated “ I should follow the way!”

I inquired as to what the way really is

He answered with a parable of life and living.

 

I heard and grew afraid of what I heard,

He softly talked and I started to feel good, but then

I asked about his grand plan regarding Earth,

He spoke and said, “I had one, but it’s not working!”

Den Betts

Begin the Ending 2015-154

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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

President’s Message 2015-153

Posted in Poems, Religious type by

I decided to post something that I wrote this week for the Church Council of the church where I belong, and where I am the presiding President. I did so, because it is about a time whereas many celebrate this time of year in their own way. I cannot deny that I am religious, but I look at myself in a more spiritual way. Regardless of your beliefs or nature, you hopefully will get something out of this post in my perspective.

President’s Message 2015-153

It is THAT time of year again!  What time!???  The time that we all celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ if we belong to a Christian faith.  How wonderful and the word wonderful is just not enough.

Yes; we are involved in the merriment of the moment and yes we are doing the things we do now.   And yes, things are different now than when they were in the past, or at least I think so….

But, it would be easy to forget just why we look at this time of year the way we do. The things that have happened in the world and in the U.S. can be unnerving, but we must NOT let those things control our emotions or control us.

The Father, the son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are STILL with us. Their Presence is always with us; always.

I went to the bank to make a deposit to next year’s Christmas club and on the way out toward the door, I looked back at the two tellers and said, “Oh, by the way, Happy Holidays!” Then I stopped and restated, “NO, Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.!” They both looked surprised, smiled and said, “You too, Mr. Betts.”  (It was a slow day and we were the only ones in this small bank in Newbury)

The only thing I have against the Christmas time period occurs on Dec 26. It is like a veil is dropped and we are back to the grind of daily living, looking forward to the New Year and what it brings.  I do not celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, and on the 26th things change. All the Christmas music is off the air it seems; all the advertisements and deals are over, and we have plenty of time to play with our toys and look at what we got the day before, or consider returning or exchanging the gifts we received. But, Christmas has come and gone and that is sort of sad in a way.

I had a mirror (probably still do somewhere) showing Scrooge and written on it is “Bah Humbug” It was put out by my children years ago because I had, more than likely, an attitude that was not the best. We have not displayed this for quite a while now and I am happy about that fact. I look at my blessings of life and my feelings are now different. I get, I receive, I am blessed with a gift from God each and every day.

These gifts are reinforced each Sunday I go to church. Each sunrise allows me to sense the gifts from God that He presents to me. Every day, I am reminded that Jesus Christ’s time on the cross, allows me the chance to have eternal life with Him and my departed loved ones. Wow, what a gift Jesus gave us, that started on the day He was born and continues each and every day for us.

I do not have to return it or exchange it but I do cherish it and it is not just mine, but ours to know and enjoy. What a time of year it is; one to remember and continue with, always….. It is wonderful!!!!!!!

Peace,

Den Betts

Car Ride 2015-152

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

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……