Fate 2015-60
How cruel and yet sometimes great,
The way fate plays its hand
Sometimes called fickle,
It does not plan,
Is it luck or lack of which,
That makes things happen,
The whims of chance and circumstance
We call fate, as a reason
Maybe God in his heavenly wisdom
Had His hand in that final decision.
Think about it sometime when you say,
It was fate that did it that day….
Den Betts
A little heavy, not for the light hearted- LOL… This I wrote when I was thinking- again! I have to stop doing that process….. We all have our existence that can be measured and counted on and perhaps I infer this in this poem…..
Finality Explored 2015-59
So much, so much – yet nothing of consequence
in the final way and things of the world
It happens as the sun comes up in the morning
and sets at night, to begin yet another day on the morrow
It goes on regardless, of the joys and sadness that
may occur on a daily basis, passing all in its wake
Too much, too much – yet so very important
in a down to earth everyday existence
It lessens the spirit, stops the flow of creativity
but, remains as a reminder of our vulnerability
It stays the course of the free spirit, of one,
and becomes a manifestation of victory
So little, so little – yet the essence of all,
in a way that transcends the whole
It becomes the very heart of the transfiguration
of Him, the final lasting pleasure
It is the way, the only way, to begin once again
to know of the purity of wonder – forever….
Den Betts
We should cherish EACH day that we are here on Earth, living, existing and co-mingling with each other. To try to appreciate what we have, what we experience, what and who we are to each other. Far too soon, comes the final judgment day whereas we have lived our lives as we did, but did not do so in many other ways.
Travel of Time 2015-56
Too soon does set the fiery orb
Across the spacious sky.
So soon comes night – upon us bright
moonlight shining high.
One solitary day gone by
a minus from our life
Closer to eternity of living
without strife
A beggar, poet, leader of man,
or those of other means
All of one with sameness in
the final scope of things
Closer still the judgment day,
escape — the soul is gone
Remains – behind to witness
the totality of our being
What is to say of all belief
the true and wondrous way
Each and every one that travels
the journey of one day.
Den Betts
I can still remember when I heard the news about a man who went through a newspaper business killing fellow workers then putting the gun in his mouth and committing suicide. I feel sorrow for the innocents that were killed and maimed, but not for the person who did the killing. If he did not kill himself and was caught, sent to trial, convicted and sentenced to death and was put to death, would I feel much compassion or sympathy for him, perhaps no. But, do I think that his execution would be correct? No – period! No…..
One problem that I have is, if someone who is truly innocent is put to death – where is the justice there? I heard that a prison guard who was leading someone to the gas chamber and the question of whether the soon to be disposed of prisoner was innocent, the guard said, “Let God sort it out!”, but that is not the humane, Christian or civilized way of doing things. A life in prison without parole in an isolated jail cell in solitaire could be worse than death for some people and could be the better sentence in the mind of the one in jail, perhaps.
This poem is somewhat dated by the way the execution is performed. Instead of “The Chair” we now have imperfect chemicals to do the job. One state is bringing back the firing squad, I heard, but the way is not the question, the reasoning behind the executions is the question.
Execution 2015-57
The man finished his steak, eggs and potatoes,
Agreeing that his last meal was – just right.
Years spent on appeals were at an end,
Today was final judgment day for him.
They shaved his head, wrists and ankles,
For the contact points attached to “The Chair.”
He stood while manacles were clapped to limbs,
A Priest started to read from a well thumbed Bible.
The walk toward “The Room” was short; too short,
As at the door, he stopped, took a breath and entered.
Inside, starkness, the white walls, dark chair, contrasted,
He was seated, manacles off and straps attached.
Thoughts of the trial, the appeals, the actual facts,
Surged through his brain, like time and time again.
Accusations, evidence, verdict and sentence; now history,
Came to mind as if they occurred only yesterday.
That fateful night, so long ago; police at the door,
No alibi, no defense, no knowledge of the act.
So logical, but circumstantial, at best,
Hints of a look alike cousin being there.
His cousins death from an accident soon after,
A pleading of further investigation for naught.
All past, no more recourse, no more appeal,
Dark musty leather hood, over his head.
Reality sets in, the waiting, torment, anxiety, over,
Final words spoken to him, so far away.
Its going to happen, “No God; please no! It wasn’t me,
I really didn’t do \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/- – – – – – – – – – –
Peace.
How sad, scary and terrible of a thought that a person can be executed that was truly innocent. It HAS happened in the past and will in the future when there is a death sentence in force. but does that mean that we should not have the death penalty? Not for me to decide thankfully. What should be done with a human that commits the worst sin of all, the taking of a human life on purpose? A ward of the state for life seems like an inappropriate sentence, especially when the victim is not able to enjoy life. A complex issue……
I think of this especially during Lent and the thoughts of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion come up. I will not go into His trial and the ramifications of it now, but reflect on it in general. I just think how horrible it was for His mother, brother, Disciples, friends and people who loved and knew Him and how they thought of this action. Reacting now, I can truly say, “I am more than glad it happened and/or that He knew it was to be. Why? The trial and the execution on the Cross were one thing, but the Resurrection is the reason I feel this way.
The chance of eternal life of the soul, once we die here on Earth, because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, is beyond understanding and appreciation. This act by a dying and rising god as a deity, that gives us ALL this chance of eternal life is a gift that goes beyond belief.
The fact that the murderer today, who truly repents, has this chance is such a wonderful thing to contemplate. It gives all of us a time to ponder our lives and beliefs and to realize the ramifications of the act by Jesus Christ………………’
Den Betts
According to the Apostle Paul, the entire Christian faith hinges upon the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope for a life after death. The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians:
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:19-20
Who knows, I don’t, as to when and why I wrote this is, unclear, for sure. It had to do with something I was thinking of at the time. Do I truly understand it; the answer is yes, but the exact, why and when, no………..
Eared Feelings 2015-54
Words with feelings spoken unclear;
inner meanings vague,
I hear
Eyes off center, not focused true;
mine do bore thy soul,
I fear
Forever wanting, close and sure;
for the moment, your heart
I near
A sound, a tinkling in the wind
Promise of the here after
So clear
Truth be known between us two;
knowledge heard, with wetness
I tear
Den Betts
Hope springs eternal as Alexander Pope said in an “Essay on Man”, in 1732!!! I DO hope Spring itself, will be here soon and the advent of birds will show that the hope is not a foolish thought. The geese that are looking for open water are finding it scarce; just frozen tundra as their welcoming mat. This WILL change and life will go on as it is decreed by nature. Or at least one hopes………………
Two Robins 2015-53
Hooray, hooray, two robins
Sighted this very day ( lost??)
The first time this year
In the March blowing cold
A sign of Spring, so sure,
So sure; the beginning
Restart, of growth once again
About time I say, I say
Using past experiences in a
Remembrance of thought
No more grey skies and white
blanketed ground, instead
Blue skies and green
Carpeted lawn; Ah Spring
May it last forever, and may
Robins arrive each and every dawn
Den Betts
Thoughts of nature in minor ways, but giving an idea of what is out there to consider, appreciate and wonder about as we exist in this land of nature. It is so easy to ignore what goes on around us every day and not appreciate those things that abound. What do we miss by not looking, not seeing, and letting our everyday lives just meander by without knowing the beauty of God’s glory.
Natures Beauty 2015-52
The wings of an eagle
flying so high, soaring so
majestic on the currents
in the sky
The eyes of a she wolf
staring cross the plain
A sheen on her coat
glistening from the rain
A twelve point stag
king of a herd
sniffing in the air before moving,
giving the word
Denizens of nature
regal and proud
all and more so of
beauty of the wild
Den Betts
I was going to title a poem Milestone, to celebrate the writing of my 300th poem, but, instead, decided to commemorate the anniversary of the wedding of my wife and I. Fifty years of living togethter IS a milestone and more fitting to mention at this junction in life. Like any marriage, there are ups and downs but we are happy for the positive aspects of our lives together. That March 6th was a snowy one and glad we are decent this year.
MILESTONE 2015-50
A goal reached
A pinnacle climbed
A moment to remember
For all time.
Recorded in history
Talked about for sure
Pride to be taken
As a thing that endured
Over 18,000 days of love for each other
A total 50 years of exciting times together
A milestone reached perhaps, BUT,
Time now for the succeeding laps.
Den Betts
This poem may go very well with the one “Bosh the Bobbin” that I have posted to give it a frame of mind. What we are, we are, and I am not afraid of that fact. People may have an idea or a preconception of what I am and how I am, but they may be wrong. I think I am multi-faceted and as such can be looked at in different ways. Many put on a “face” depending on where they are and what they are doing. I think that is somewhat common. We have our face for work, play and family and the faces make up the personification of whom we are, and that is normal. Or at least I think so! Anyhow, I also believe, most people do accept me the way I am, which I am gratified and happy about to realize………………..
Accept Me 2015-48
I accept me, the way I am, how I am,
My only request is that you do the same.
We are, as we are, how we are,
If you think contrary, tis a shame.
Don’t look at me the way you would like me to be
See me as I am, how I am; it’s only me.
Perhaps I would like to be different than what you see,
But sometimes people can’t change, do you agree?
It’s easy to fight it, or deny the bare facts,
But in doing so, it prolongs the comeback.
If we are, what we are, then we will be what we’ll be,
And acceptance of this idea, is the answer, the key.
Den Betts
This is just me, being me, with thoughts of mis-trust, with no compromise in life and the way things are in our country. We can do nothing or something, but letting those that make decisions what we think is important. I believe that, the only thing is HOW we do that is also important and many have just un-kind words or actions that hinder the process. A change from a caterpillar to a butterfly is an example, and to change from a do nothing to a changer of some sorts is a metamorphosis in life for any……….
Metamorphosis 2015-49
To say that all the things are wrong
around us and need replaced – is wrong.
and that is what I say now.
To state our country is going to Hell
with no hope of recovery – I disagree
or want to and need to.
To believe our leaders are all not good
can’t be true, and is not, and that is
what I feel or know, or again need to.
To agree with those that have no kind
words about anything, is not what I want
or will do, if I can.
To be a cynic and not know it – a horrible
thought, – one I pray is not
correct or hope so.
To change, and become a changer in life,
a positive influence of making things
right or better, I must.
Den Betts
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