Skull 2018-78

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I will admit that this poem came to be after I held a “plastic” skull I had, which I got for some kind of Halloween thing; not sure.  Anyhow, my thoughts came, I wrote them and now live with my thoughts of how I think about something.  That is ok, that is me; so be it.

 

Skull  2018-78

To hold a skull in hand and pretend

tis poor “Uric” of Hamlet fame,

But, alas, it is only bone

a dead relic of a person long ago.

A reminder of a life form that

thought, laughed and cried,

Which had features, jumped,

and danced with joy.

Now just a calcium deposit

In a grotesque way,

Pitted, holed, and cavities with

rough edges and a strange feel.

Like a picture with substance,

a reality of life itself.

What experiences, identity, features,

Of long ago hidden from view.

To touch my face and feel bone through flesh

and feel what I hold in my hand,

A non-descript top of a frame

holding me together.

 

 

Den Betts        bettsden@gmail.com

Heaven- Where, What, When, Why 2018-77

Posted in Religious by

Heaven – Where, What, When, Why        2018-77

What is Heaven!?  Then I ask, where is it and what can we expect if we get there?

Questions without any definitive answers that are exact. I also ask; are we going to like it, if, and when we get there? In reality, there are too many questions about Heaven that cannot be answered.

Scripture does mention Heaven many times (80) in both the Old and New Testaments but does not give information about the four W’s as listed in the title of this post.

Eternity is a VERY long time and will we be satisfied with the time we spend there; perhaps doing the same thing, over and over again. Will we be spoiled by the diversity we had living on Earth during the short journey of living there?  Or, will Heaven be a blessed escape from the reality of what we have now on Earth?

The man-made notion, of sitting on a cloud playing a harp does not entice me, as something to look forward to, and for one thing, I cannot play a harp or any other musical instrument.

How will I communicate with the multitude of people or their spirit type minds that I will meet, or they with mine? Will WE be in a “spirit form” with our souls just like a “Being” without having a human like structure as we have now? Is there an angelic form with wings for some reason?

I do not envision sitting around singing “Kumbaya” as a norm of existence as I am not a great singer. I believe I do have some ideas of what I would like to experience, and they are not very demanding in nature. I do NOT expect to stand around doing nothing, but don’t want to sing songs forever and ever.

Another thing, is TIME in Heaven the same time frame here on Earth? The whole concept of eternity could have a different new meaning whereas a day in Heaven is like a minute on Earth or something along those lines of thought.

Will there be “classes” to study history of mankind or some other subject to keep us occupied? Will we be able to meet with God or Jesus Christ when there, at the onset, and at various other times?

Then, there is the matter of where is Heaven?  Anyone can take a guess, as to the place Heaven is located and most likely, be wrong. Heaven is where it is and where it is, is where it should be; where God has decreed. That is the way it is, and we will find out eventually.

 The mysteries of life are what they are in life, a bunch of those things that are a mystery of life; simple as that. Some things are not for us to know while existing here on Earth as children of God.

For those that believe they know all, they actually know nothing about the mysteries in life, but they can state their thoughts or suppositions regarding different subjects, but it STILL will remain an unknown mystery.

I believe I have an idea of where Heaven is, what it is like, our interactions with others and with God, how we get there, who ends up there, and all those things unknown. Will I share; MAYBE sometime!

For now, I just say, wonder and, somewhat, look forward to it, sometime, but not soon. LOL……..

Peace,
Den Betts   email:   bettsden@gmail.com              Blog:  thebettsden.com

Hanging in There 2018-76

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Hanging in There  2018-76

A simple expression that means so much to some people, but nothing to others. It tells us something, but, in reality, says nothing about us to anybody.

I learned to say this as a means of defense, or at least, a way of not having to explain how I actually was feeling at the time of saying it.

A neighbor, now long ago it seems, always was telling me, “You look great, how’s it going?” This was after my accident in my car, and after spending 7 weeks in the hospital and rehab, and experiencing a year in outpatient rehab at Lake West Hospital in Willoughby, OH.

I knew he was trying to make me feel good, but I finally said to him one day after his question, “Vic, I feel like shit, actually!”  The point is, I realized somewhat then, that I had to come up with a different response, therefore, “I’m hanging in there” became a common refrain to anyone asking or commenting on my condition, at that time period.

So, this has carried over to today and I still use it, when I have episodes that are a carryover from my time of over 25 years ago.  Still have them, will have them, life goes on regardless.

I am not being a smartass or vague or deceitful, but perhaps just somewhat honest. If that bothers any, well that is too bad and tuff; just deal with it. I do a decent job of surviving and interacting with others and try very hard to not be a whining, a feel sorry for self, person about a time in  my life, that changed my life forever.

My “Hanging in There” is the only concession I will allow myself to express how I feel. Therefore, I respectfully say again, deal with it.

Peace,

Den Betts        Email: bettsden@gmail.com   Blog: thebettsden.com

Long Trip 2018-75

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

Long Trip 2018-75

 

It starts sometime, but is different to all of us. At times, it is planned, but in most cases, it begins all on its own.

There is nobody taking any tickets or checking us in against a list of people that are authorized to go. Also, don’t look for a flight attendant, or conductor, or any official person to guide or direct us.

Once started, our trip is that of many bumps and knocks, mixed with smooth and luxurious times. Every time a dip tells us to be careful a rise welcomes us to a time of pleasure. There are a lot of dips and rises, but we sort of expected that to happen or should have if we gave it any thought.

Occasionally we, can stop and take in the sights and even smell the flowers, along the way, which is always enjoyable.

Any travelling companions we encounter are also experiencing their sights and sounds; similar, but still different than ours. Some don’t finish the trip as we do, but instead have a different journey, so we bid them farewell along the way. And, we wish them all, to have a great time in their own way, as we forge onward to our destination.

How many of us, once we knew where we were going, prepared for it beforehand, and finally knew that we had, or could have, done a better job of doing so? Maybe, when we put our feet on the ground, it will not be too late, not for me to say, but for all of us to find out.

There is a beginning and there is an end and in between, an experience to have to remember. What we do in the in between will determine the end and beyond the end. Our actions, our reactions, and the decisions with our lives, have a bearing, somewhat, on the outcome for eternal life.

Do we take for granted that things will be fine, will be better than the now, and hope for the best? Some can do that, but not knowing the final solution, who would want to take a chance. Again, some will just do what they want to do and with optimism bear with whatever happens.

BUT, to go through the journey with the thought of the future and not care of the consequences, is a foolhardy trip.  It is (hopefully) a long trip, but when the thought of “forever” is in the works, then the little journey we make now is pretty little, but the continuation is really a long trip to have and enjoy.

So, do what you want, I don’t care, because it is YOUR trip and we all have to live with the costs or payment of the experiences we each have in life.

If you believe in a God, if you believe in the hereafter, if you believe in eternity, then consider your actions of today while on the little trip of life.  The long trip includes the little one, and we will see.

Peace,

Den Betts            Email: bettsden@gmail.com      Blog: thebettsden.com

Waterfall 2018-74

Posted in Contemplation, Nature by

I remember writing this when we visited Brandywine Falls, in Cuyahoga National Park, near Cleveland, OH, and it was written to enable someone to “see” the falls through my eyes at the time.  It was a lovely day, the walkway to the falls down below, gave a serene pleasant atmosphere to life then.  If ever, get a chance, go see and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!!!!

Waterfall  2018-74

The wandering cool stream gently sped

Moving toward the precipice close ahead

Funnels of rock squeeze the flowing water

Pushing it toward the outcrop faster

Emerald greed moss nurtured by its flow

Mingle with the ferns above and below

Molecules of wetness leap in the air

In bursting spray without a care

Once blue-brown now white, so white,

Plunging down with all its might

A constant thunder and roar make a bellow

And becomes louder as it races below

The cascading cataract frozen in flight

Smashes on the boulders with all its might

Reaching for the sky it falls, near the shore

Then continues flowing gently as ever before

Den Betts        email:  bettsden@gmail.com  blog: thebettsden.com

 

Knight Slayed 2018-73

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Written when the mission was just existing in life, and this came to mind. Not sure now, of the exact reason of what the intent was; to make a point perhaps. Do people look at life this way, as I did so many years ago? It is a wonder I did not succumb to a downward trend and end up like the knight.

 

Knight Slayed  2018-73

 

Upon the mighty steed he went

looking forward, toward the fight.

Dressed in shining white he traveled,

to hunt, to make the dragon bleed.

With good intentions and mind naïve

a promise to save mankind, at least.

The people cheered and rallied him on,

to stay the course toward the beast.

He told them all he would not fail,

or fall from favor to them all.

His goal was honorable, or so it seemed,

the mission not quite the Holy Grail.

Truth shall win he yelled, so let us begin,

as he charged toward the fray.

A moments respite then the battle was begun,

no fun, but fair, he thought he knew.

A parry here, a jab there, a start;

a two-way beginning of a witches brew.

No magic Merlin to help his cause,

only him to combat the brute.

In a second of time, an infinity to some,

the knight lay withered on the ground.

The dragon reared upon his legs, looked down,

and sneered at the puny form of man.

“How dare you fight the master of life;

the system always wins.”

 

Den Betts        Email: bettsden@gmail.com

Word Press site:  thebettsden.com

Primitives 2018-72

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Primitives  2018-72

We Earthlings are a primitive lot!!!!!!!

I would imagine, in the Universe as a whole, there may be a species that would consider us the MOST primitive group that exists.

Some here, would disagree and make claims on how we as humans on Earth, have evolved to be the most advanced on Earth. The fact that our brains have become better formed and capable than other creatures which inhabit Earth does NOT make us able to say we are not primitive.

Nobody can say “There are no other intelligent creatures in the Universe”, and just like an atheist cannot say “There is not a God”, because they cannot prove their claims. As seen by those elsewhere in the Universe, that are made up of intelligent, civilized, advanced beings, our actions on earth could be called primitive in nature.  

We claim to be intelligent and again, advanced beyond other Earth species, but perhaps compared to others  elsewhere, we cannot claim to be even close to them.

We kill, we steal, we cheat, lie, deceive, and start wars, hoard, plot against others, form boundaries (sometimes with walls) are intolerant towards others, and prejudicial to so many people, and the list goes on and on and on. We have too many primitive ideas and actions to warrant making claims of NOT being primeval.

We can change our stature to being instead, more sophisticated and civilized, much more, than what we are now. This is easy to say, but hard to do. Individually, some can do this, but collectively, as a group, nation, country, etc. this is almost impossible.

Being primitive is something an Earthling does, it happens everywhere; not by “those people” or “over there”, but again, everywhere. Also, to claim being religious does not mean better, because many that make this claim are primitive thinking yet believe being religious excludes them.

So, until  more civilized creatures arrive to show us how primitive we as humans are, we can be self-deluded and think because we are more intelligent than a slug, we are not primitive.    HA!

Peace,

Den Betts     bettsden @ gmail.com                                                        thebettsden.com

Wind’s Fury 2018-71

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I don’t know if this is about a tornado, or just a windstorm of somewhat epic proportions that occurred. I have NEVER been in or near a tornado, but was in two hurricanes that sounded like what I have written below. Or, it was in my mind, only which is par for the course.

 

Wind’s Fury 2018-71

 

The soft whisper of wind picked up

Slyly increasing in its tempo

A rustle here and whirlwind there

A foretaste of gloom and woe.

 

A hint of things to come very soon

With branches falling like bullets

Raining down to the ground with might

Impaling themselves with such a fright

 

A sudden hailstorm arriving with vengeance

Peppering the earth with half white substance

Collecting in the cracks and crevices below

Lying on the ground in a mound like snow.

 

A banshee sound, racing round tree trunks

An eerie voice of future doom

The whistling tone in the background air

Casting a spell inside the room

 

A crack then a crash came the limbs and trunks

Crushing down toward house and home

Destroying all amongst their midst

Turning “whole” into pieces and hunks

 

Passing by it continued cross the land

Wrecking havoc in a path of despair

Letting all know that it was there

A traveler of terror so grand

 

Then a quiet ensued in its wake

A calm, a gentle rain from above

The smell of bark and ozone left

A remembrance of a winds fury unloved.

 

Den Betts        bettsden@gmail.com

Pain 2018-70

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This brings me back to a time when things were NOT right, not good, and a period of my life where I was not capable of lucid thinking many times. I now think of those that suffer any debilitating injury and have to live with it daily.  I am now better, now capable, now more complete in my way of existing, but still have lingering feelings of before.

Pain  2018-70

 

It only hurts when I feel it,

But when it hurts I want to cry

At times I don’t care if I die

The feeling is one of true sensation.

It ebbs and flows with time,

It lets me know of needed rest

And tells me just how much,

By the pain in body and mind

Others don’t know of my torment,

The pain in the head and such,

How dare they think I am pain free,

And have no problem but me.

I wish they knew just how much is much,

My mind racked with this feeling

I don’t tell all, but should do so

Someday I will let the world know,

(Perhaps Now)

But now I’ll suffer in silence

The pain, my companion in life.

 

Den Betts        Email:bettsden@gmail.com

Blog: thebettsden.com

 

Rumors 2018-69

Posted in Contemplation, Statement by

How many dreams have been destroyed, how many lives changed forever from mistruths being thrown out to cloud the issue.  How, just how, can someone create a rumor to create discord in a way of life.  That is wrong and, in the wrong, it is a travesty of justice for all.

 

Rumors   2018-69

 

The builder of false hopes in everyday life,

and also destroyer of dreams born from hope.

Begun as lightning like conduits of words,

flung through space of time from – somewhere.

Forming as small drops of innocent mistruths

then falling in a torrent of despairing mendacity.

 

Facts twisted, expressions and ideas shredded,

via oral and auditory pipelines; fragments remaining.

Mere figments of the whole, true thoughts exploded

at times beyond repair, at best a shell of the truth.

Dissension, disbelief remain behind, leaving rational

thought a victim in its wake, in a raging maelstrom.

 

Faulting “they” and “them” as the reason for all woes,

the faceless ones having the power to change all.

Words of “I heard”; a battle cry to continue the plague

of spreading discord thru the land, amongst thy own.

Rumor – not the truth, the whole truth and nothing but

the truth; instead, at best, partial pieces of fact.

 

Whole truth and total facts are not rumor, as rumors

In most cases, are not the total truth nor whole facts.

 

Den Betts

Email: bettsden@gmail.com Blog: thebettsden.com