Richard Betts is a philosophical poet. His is an honest poetry, which contemplates, questions and, at times, criticizes the world in his search for the ultimate meanings of life. Some of his poems are meant to prod and provoke, but all of his prose is meant to enrich and encourage the reader. His writings deal with a wide range of contemporary issues, such as religion, politics, philosophy, friendship, love and hate, and life and death. His concise style of writing makes his poems extremely readable.