Category Archives: Statement

These poems are somewhat of a factual type of poem with hopefully a message that is direct

Execution 2015-57

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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

MILESTONE 2015-50

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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

Accept Me 2015-48

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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

Choices 2015-44

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We wake up each day and decide on the choices we will make to more than just get though the day. Those choices make up the decisions of life that we make. We can look forward to the future or behind at the past, but what choices we make are final.

Choices  2015-44

Choices are the good and bad

decisions of life

What we decide now, will affect

us in the future

What we decided on before

are impacting us now

Foresight is a component

many of us lack

Hindsight about decisions is something

in which we all excel

We all make choices in life and live

with the repercussions and joys

of those decisions

Den Betts

 

Song of Happiness 2015-42

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Sometimes I write poems like this and afterwards wonder if what I wrote really means anything. Or, just sounds like la-la land type thinking. Then I ponder, (like I was told the other night) I don’t give a rat’s ass what other people think. I believe in certain ideas and my thoughts are what they are and that is the way it is.

Song of Happiness  2015-42

Sing a song of happiness,

Make it a song of joy.

Sing a song that touches the heart

Of every girl and boy.

Let them know of peace and love,

To share with one another.

Sing the song while holding hands,

As your sister or your brother.

Sing this song and look in their eyes

Let them know you care.

We only live once in this wide, wide world

So enjoy and join in prayer

Sing this prayer of understanding,

Between the opposites in life

Hope that this will heal in time

All the pain, turmoil and strife.

Sing the song of happiness,

And make it a song of joy.

And sing this song that touches the heart,

Of every girl and boy.

Den Betts

In the Name of God 2015-29

Posted in Religious type, Statement by

I post this with the knowledge of the atrocities an killings done in the Middle East and what was also done on 911. When, just when, will we wake up and see  that the actions done are beyond primitive in nature. When will those that fight and kill stop doing so especially in the name of God. Maybe never! This would be a companion poem to the Radical Islamist Thoughts blog.

In the Name of God    2015-29

Conflict reigns with fevered pitch,

As opposing sides find their fiery niche.

Jews and Arabs continue to die- – –

Religious differences – A reason why?

 

Protestants and Catholic fought in Belfast,

Makes one wonder, how long peace will last.

How many times will this fighting go on,

From night until night and the next dawn.

 

A heathen Indian who prayed to the sun,

Decimated by the white man with his Christian gun.

A nigger slave (words used then) who tried to be brave,

Shot by an owner and sent to the grave.

 

History abounds with stories of grief,

Of sons and daughters dying for a belief,

Does the Deity prayed to in all this strife,

Really want these deaths by the gun and knife?

 

Does He condone this wanton killing,

By all the people that do so – so willing..

Or is it true that its NOT – in the name of God,

And should be stopped, FOR GOD’s SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Den Betts

Always-Never 2015-21

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                                              Always-Never   2015-21

“When faced with a dilemma of stating something and meaning it and using the words Always or Never it is somewhat dangerous at times.  We tend to say things with emphasis and those two words can get us in trouble.  Someone will remember when I did something that I said “I never did that” and just the opposite with always.   I now try to keep my declarations neutral and never say those words and always do so. Yeh right!”

Two words said sometimes that are not so true,

When you use “always or never” as an absolute.

Always is “all the time” without a perchance,

It is used when you want to convey a stance.

Never use never when you mean once in awhile,

Cause never means never and is hard to reconcile.

We tend to exaggerate and not really mean,

Those things we say when we are full of steam.

It is meant to hurt ands hurt it does, friend,

To those we say it, in ways that offend.

So never say always, unless you mean it,

And always say never if to your benefit.

Den Betts

Beware – Be Aware 2015-10

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This could be a sister poem of the one I wrote titled “Apathy”; to a degree. This would be a challenge to those that feel they are in control, whereas WE are really, or should be, involved in things that occur.

Beware – Be Aware    2015-10

“Beware! Beware! The end of time is near”

So says the man with placard pointed to the sky.

A pessimist to the nth degree is he,

to give up on the hope of man today.

 

But, it should be realized that things aren’t right

Or even close to the ways the world should be.

The leaders and power players of each composite group,

Show that “they know” what is good for us all.

 

In Belfast of past, the Middle East now, South America,

Perhaps here in the U.S. too; they all think alike.

Take away their power and they will be one of us,

So no peace they say, cause a stir and unrest.

 

In the name of religion, the wars are fought, and,

In the name of heritage or culture, people die.

But, it’s also in the name of power and greed,

And continued dissent for its own sake, indeed!

 

An answer to all the troubles would leave them,

With nothing to do, no longer in charge.

If the people were to be more involved,

With the underlings helping out too.

 

Then a man could be on a street corner,

With a sign telling a different tune.

One that challenged the leaders by saying,

“Be Aware! Be Aware!, change is coming soon!”

Den Betts

Apathy 2015-09

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I was at a meeting and a person said, “Why don’t they do something about – – – – “. I thought about it and realized, that person was the one that COULD do something. How many things do we look at and say the same thing or just shake our heads and wonder?

We see things and they register in our mind, but the act of doing is missing. Most of us are guilty of this “apathy” of thought over the course of our lives, perhaps NOT daily though, but at times. Some things are beyond our immediate way of doing, but some are capable of us getting involved. Such is life!!!!

            Apathy  2015-09

The lack of feelings or emotions

I am told is the meaning, but not all

Is meant by so few of words.

It is the seeing a beggar on a street

Or a dying neighbor you will never again meet

The scoundrel of a politician elected on and on

Or drug busts downtown, not here you state, relief

The high school terrors in the halls, care less now

Your kids are through and gone, thank God you say.

A drunkard lying in the gutter, in his filth,

disgusting, why don’t they do something about it.

An unwed mother, out of school, only 16, when

will they learn, should have known better, right?

Don’t give a damn you say, not for you to take

care of their problems, enough of your own, let

alone take care of the world  besides.

The things you see now could be your own someday

and the one who cares less then, could be like you now

Care at least, do something besides exist for yourself

without any emotion of others and their plights.

There, but for grace of God goes I – – could be a fact

of life in a blink of an eye

Den Betts

Human-Animal 2015-08

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I originally wrote this poem right after the horror in NYC at the World Trade Center and thought then, WHAT kind or type of human could do things like they do, to each other. We, as humans, are so inhuman to each other at times. Indeed, lower animals that are looked down on, could, if they were able to, call US the true animalistic specie on Earth. They basically kill for food, in most cases, and not for the reasons we do as humans. I post this today, due to the terror killing in France of journalists.

Human-Animal      2015-08

The human with the high developed brain,

Supposed to be the most intelligent animal.

Doing things to self and others in many ways

That go beyond belief and understanding

Newscasts describe the horrors that happen,

Graphic in ways that boggle the mind.

Lower species struggle for survival,

Not killing for power, greed or envy.

They if with thought, would think with dismay,

Why they are classified for their sub-human actions.

We as humans should be ashamed in a way

For thinking of ourselves as the most supreme.

There is no excuse for this treating of each other.

NONE WHATSOEVER

Den Betts