Category Archives: Poems

Face at the Window 2015-75

Posted in Head Trama, Poems by

This is a poem about a period of despair where things were “not right” in my mind, but not knowing why at the time. I share this to let others know that sometimes crap happens and we have a choice of living with it or not.  It IS easier to look back at life sometimes instead of at the moment, but that is life itself; one of periods of time to experience. I survived a terrible time in my life, and, looking backward, can still reminisce about the journey then and sometimes even now…..

Face at the Window 2015-75

Looking out at the world so near,

yet so far; seeing, but not knowing

of the things others hold so dear.

 

Peering, wondering, about the earthly

smell, a swish of feet on green grass,

a kiss of the wind on cheek so swell.

 

A desire so great to escape the bonds,

of a way of life that seems like hell

to do the things that others do, so well.

 

Nose on glass, breath making fog

a wish, a want, a longing for a chance

to live a life free of minds smog.

 

Not really hurt, no visible scar, no

means of knowing by others who blurt,

“You look so great, you are, you are!”

 

Days turn to a week, then to months,

a look at the past that’s gone so fast

with a future that seems so bleak.

 

Not knowing what, scared of what, not

trying to think of what, not having

the mind to see what, just asking – what?

 

Den Betts

Ortz Bug 2015-74

Posted in Humor, Poems by

In my feeble mind lurk things that I am glad stay there, at times,  and not present their selves in reality!  Why such a creature like an Ortz Bug would inhabit my mind and come to the forefront is beyond me. It came out and, once seen (?) it is now a part of my vocabulary and without any hesitancy, here it is———–

 

 

Ortz Bug       2015-74

 

The tiny Ortz bug is a thing of beauty,

 

It runs, it flies, it swims, – its pretty.

 

It’s colored red, yellow, and green too,

 

It even has a head that’s light, light blue!

 

Its 23 feet make it go as fast as it can go,

 

But in a race, it won’t beat a centipede tho.

 

Its huge big wings are meant for flying,

 

But, a jet plane its not – no lying!

 

It even has paddles, for pushing in the water,

 

But, if you expect fast, don’t bother

 

So as you can see, it is a weird, weird bug,

 

I ought to know, there’s one in my jug..

 

 

Den Betts

Speaking for Christians 2015-73

Posted in Poems, Statement by

Speaking for Christians    2015-73

I cannot do so! I cannot speak for other Christians that I have not talked to, read about, or otherwise been in touch with about a subject.

I resent, therefore, the posts, the news articles, and all the rest of published or otherwise stated sayings about Christians and what they believe in about a subject.

How do the far right or left know what I think or believe?  How do they comprehend what God thinks and what gives them the right to be the spokesperson concerning Christians in general or the whole?

Pick a subject! I don’t care if it is about homosexuality, abortion, marriage or lack of, executions, or any of the other hot topics that we hear about daily, it seems.

Bill O’Reilly, the Pope, and The President of the United States, are examples of people that do NOT have a secret connection, or IN with God to say they KNOW what He thinks or believes.  Yes, I included the Pope. He is human, not a God, and does NOT have confirmed knowledge of what God decrees.

OK, there is Scripture according to the Christian Bible as a guide. It, the Bible, in my mind, is not Inerrant or has a freedom or lack of error.  I DO believe it is God inspired, but in fact, was put together by men that are NOT infallible. I encourage anyone to read about the history of the Bible and actually find out how it became what it is today. Those people might find out some facts that are startling to contemplate.

More about the subject of speaking to Christians

There are items that come up on the news at night that really tick me off. The newscaster goes on and on about a subject that he is reporting and the slant is, he or she is reporting as facts that the person he is talking to knows all and is the expert and speaks for ALL Christians. At least, that is what it sounds like.

I am a Christian, but it doesn’t mean I am against ALL abortions, or hate gay people, or think a vile SOB that killed someone needs to be put to death.  All Christians have minds of their own and there is NOBODY that can speak for all of us.

It would be better if the person reporting would say explicitly that the person being interviewed is from the such and such group, which believes in the subject being reported on, to clarify it. The Westboro Baptist non- church is not my spokesperson on anything for instance.

Same sex marriages are becoming a way of the land in the United States, and for groups to be against this, is their opinion and not the opinion of God or me, simple as that. Many times the Bible is cited as an example of their thoughts. The interpretations of the Scriptures are again their own.  Also, something that was put together by men, very long ago does not make it so today. The canons of the Bible took some time (in the 4th Century), but what parts were left out and was it  a good thing to do so, or was it done as an opinion of those making the canons and what they thought it should be  then. I have researched this and can find no authority of how the canons came to be, other than some facts of when and where they were compiled,  but noting in detail as to the rules on how they were applied at the time.

What also gets me is the way those that state they are Christian and use the word in conjunction with something they believe in but,  really do not live the life of a Christian or know what Christianity is about in many ways. I consider myself a Christian but I cannot judge myself as being a good one or a so- so one, but make the claim of being one anyhow. But, that does not give ME the right to speak for all Christians, just because I think I am one and what I think at that time.

Decency in expression

Another thing, I read articles in the Huffington Post, for instance, and then comments by other readers. Some of the comments are so VILE, so GROSS, so everything that is not nice, decent or at times even makes sense.  I end up ignoring them, but, at times, wonder what those people are really like. I would think they may be very negative thinking and hard to live with today. I know of some like that, personally, and they are not really great to meet, talk to, or have around on a regular basis due to their stance on life……

I think that many people, including myself, should take the time and rethink their thinking about certain statements they make, that give insight as to what they believe in. Again, that includes me, and what I put down in writing, it would be best at times that I take the time to re-read what I wrote and consider changing, perhaps, what I state I believe in. Others could do the same.

I could rant on and on about this subject, but will stop for now and regroup and reconsider some of the things I believe in. Whether it will do any good to do so will remain to be seen.  Peace be with you!!!!!

Den Betts

Color 2015-72

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Growing up I did not have much exposure to others of the black race and it was not until I went into the Marines that I did so. It was a different time (59′-63″)and even then I was not affected by exposure to others of color. They were in the same boat (sort of) as  we basically got along. I really believe that when people of different races get together and talk, that is the first step to understanding.

The things that are happening on TV with Ferguson, Baltimore, and NYC are, hopefully, going to make a difference, in some way, I pray.  I think we have to be honest though, with ourselves and others that live with us and that begins with serious discussion and truthfulness on both parts. That could also be said of those of different faiths, where discussing differences is an educational experience. One can only hope.

Color  2015-72

Blank and White opposites

Extremes in color

Not red- Not Yellow

Not in Between

 

A degree of bright

And one of darkness

Two cultures different

But both with Pride

 

Not knowing the other

Nor trusting either

So far apart

Opposites- each uncaring

 

Both so wrong

Or not knowing or admitting

That color is a covering

Not the Soul….

Den Betts

Created Thought 2015-71

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

I think of all those times whereas I had an idea, or thought and did not allow it to express itself. How many times have we done so, and regretted it later perhaps. If we would have only let it out, to nourish and then expand itself.

Created Thought   2015-71

Feelings of expressions speaketh, nay, shout,

to be heard, of the solitude kept inside

yearning for release to the outside.

 

Thoughts, words and deeds

not yet spoken or done, pleading

for the light of day.

 

Ideas locked in convoluted mind

recessed deep, some forgotten,

many to be made.

 

Formed by desire so strong, to tell, to allow

the world outside to know, to share,

the innermost waves of creativity soon to be born.

Den Betts

Communication of Thoughts 2015-66

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Without talking to one another we are, of course, separated in mind beliefs. We are individuals without a sharing of ideas, joys, sorrows and overall feelings. To keep silent is to keep ones thoughts locked up, with no release to others. You CAN exist, but without a common way of joining, with your ideas of expression, to the world.

Communication of Thoughts      2015-66

The communication of

thoughts is not a

one way street.

Instead it is a parallel

expressway of interactive

thinking.

 

It is a means of expressing ideas,

goals, multitudes of messages

via sound, pictures and writings of man.

A sharing of ideals, letting others

know of intimate secrets

of the mind.

 

A transmitting of convictions, of joys

and sorrows to be jointly compared or

acknowledged in kind for one another.

It is a skill to be learned,

nourished, adapted,

and honed to exact perfection.

 

A treasure to be treated as a jewel

of priceless wealth,

and one to be used.

Without it we are blind, alone in the world,

separated in contact from each other

and in conflict with only ourselves.

 

With it, we have a means of joining

together as one, for a common goal of

knowledge and the advancement of life.

 

 

Den Betts

Destiny 2015-65

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

I thought about this subject and came to the thought that we are somewhat determined by destiny, but I do NOT believe that what is to be, will be, based on predestination. We have choices in life, which we make and in the making, our destiny is determined. I do not blame others for my bad choices in life, but only myself. I like to think that my good choices are because of something I did, but MAYBE, there was help, not by man/woman, but by an essence that is with me always with His presence. Hey, believe what you want to believe, I have my beliefs, so you can have yours!!!!

Destiny          2015-65

What  Destiny of man is realized,

When thinking of the future

At any particular time in life.

 

Are events so pre-ordained in nature,

That outcomes are meant to be

As only a foregone conclusion can itself be?

 

Do we have indeed choices –

Like a  “Y” in the road ,

Or  are we on a straight line path of travel.

 

Meant to arrive as decreed

At the beginning of our journey?

Does our life have a purpose,

as long ago manifested,

 

Or will we continue without really knowing.

Questions raised, answers not given,

But, asked as is, ones Destiny………

Den Betts

To Be, or NOT to Be, That is the Question 2015-64

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

To Be, or NOT to Be, That is the Question      2015-64

“To be or not to be” is a well know axiom

And to postulate this fact is totally true

To feed on this is really somewhat rubbish

And to expound further is a witch’s brew

 

Let me be careful in my choice of words

For those that abound can flay me with

Ridicule as a way to respond candidly,

Which is to be expected!

 

How do we want to be actually?

That really gives others insight

To how we are, what we are,

And are in reality!

 

Or would we rather be not what we are

And give others a false sense of actuality!

To hide behind a facade of what we desire

But know what we are not?

 

To be what we want to be and not question

What we are, but act honestly in our endeavors

So others can judge us (if that is allowed)

And comment with truthfulness to others

Den Betts

Hope for a Vision 2015-62

Posted in Contemplation by

Wishful thinking on my part, creating a thought that there is HOPE in mankind, if we were to only set aside our differences, communicate with each other and live in harmony. DUH!!! It is a naïve thought to say the least. We cannot do so in our own country, our own state, city or neighborhoods. Am I down, perhaps, but realistic in my thinking; but to have a vision of hope is sometimes better than the opposite – despair!!!!

Hope for a Vision   2015-62

I saw a vision the other night

It moved me with its power and might

A scene of world peace and eternal bliss

Floated around me in a wonderful mist

The races, believers, and factions were there

Arm in arm, smiling, without any care

Is it a foretaste of truth or of fiction

To dream of a time when there is no friction

It may happen and then again, may not

But, it’s the only hope the world has got.

Den Betts

Differences of Opinion 2015-61

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

How many times have I had to concede a point that I did not want to concede, and in doing that action, had peace with the other person? Why can’t people, in general, state what they believe and go on from there? Compromise is always a great finish to any discussion. BUT, the need to be correct, in the mind, is universal. I think of politics and the people that ply that trade and do it so poorly today, in my opinion……..

Differences of Opinion 2015-61

I say I am right, or so I think,

You say you are right, without a blink.

A difference of opinion you say,

On the thought at hand this day.

Discuss religion – I think not – stay away,

It’s a matter of faith anyway.

Life after death, you wonder aloud,

The proof is at the end – head bowed.

Politics as a subject to talk about,

Ends with a thousand ideas, no doubt.

Impasse

Little and big – exciting and dull,

To you and me, important to all.

Will you concede one point I ask,

If I do so first – it’s not a large task.

Nothing should be all black and white,

Grey shades of opinion would be more right.

If we start with one point, then go to two,

Could a compromise result, if we see it through?

If we can do that, why not the rest,

It would be great if put to the test.

Instead of all the fighting and turmoil,

Sitting down and talking would be just royal.

Maybe it will never happen, the futures hard to see,

But, it’s better than now, you have to agree.

Den Betts