Left or right
the noise drones on
Distractions prized,
the message gone
What’s right is right
unless it’s left
The truth beguiled
—our soul’s bereft
(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)
Author: Kurt Philip Behm
I am a lifelong author with sixteen books published to date—one best seller. Much of my writing is about the deception of time and its many disguises.
My Poetry 'An Anthology Of Perception,' is now available in four volumes.
In addition I have a 175 page Poem 'After Midnight,' that was published in
2014.
My Historical Fiction series, 'The Sword Of Ichiban' is now up to volume six which is being published this Spring.
Vol #1- The Sword Of Ichiban
Vol #2- Darkening Sun
Vol #3- Revenge Along The War Trail
Vol #4- Death From The Sky
Vol #5- Jumping Into the Darkness
Vol #6- The Fall City Mandate.
One autobiographical novel, 'The Death Of The Playground' a Best Seller,
published in 2007.
One travel novel, 'Searching For Crazy Horse,' published in 2005, recapping my forty years of motorcycle touring in the American Rocky Mountain West.
I have written one Children's Book, 'Sammy & Bumpers' that was published in 2016.
All of my books are available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and better
Book Stores world wide.
Kurt Philip Behm
“Tis Well”
A giant of a man
to whom history bows
As schoolboy’s sing
his legend proud
Our rivers symbols
where freedom flows
Through nighttime crossings
in driving snow
That freezing winter
at Valley Forge
The enemy slept
our hope restored
Embracing conflict
in search of peace
As patriots bled
our bonds released
A giant of a man
to whom history bows
In debt we live
our souls endowed
The first to lead us
the first to pray
The last to leave us
‘Tis Well’ this day
(Valley Forge Memorial Chapel: June, 2022)
Beyond The Draw
Laboring in obscurity
my dog forgets my name
The hours pass, the moments fade
with every day the same
My faith a light that dwindles
belief the final straw
In darkness splayed, my hope betrays
—no luck beyond the draw
(The New Room: June, 2022)
Poets Of Convenience
Poets of convenience
reality to sway
A stain that lasts forever
excuses not parlayed
“Thou Shalt Not Kill” long spoken
ancient law upon the land
Religious, secular, or more’ bound
the truth has one command
A billion screaming babies
by curettes scraped away
As smug self-righteous killers
demand to have their way
The pathway to eternity
lined with voices put to death
“Thou Shalt Not Kill” their epitaph
—damning your last breath
(St. Josephs University: September, 1972)
“Those Who Can, Do…”
To hell with your endorsement,
how false opinion reigns
My words to seek a higher realm
where spirit is reclaimed
As critics in a barrel,
the bottom layer is yours
To hum and drum reflected yarn
—self-serving au du jour
(The New Room: June, 2022)
With Every Breath
It’s not about
your need to hear
but what I need to say
The words unbartered
spoken clean
released to have their way
They choose their own
intended path
in beelines of advance
To scent the air
with every breath
—beyond your circumstance
(Saint David’s Pennsylvania: June, 2022)
One Step From Perdition
That day on the ledge
he started to shake
Each memory a tremor
of every mistake
The choices made suspect
as nightmares returned
The price of redemption
his destiny spurned
Alone and forgotten
his eyes straight ahead
Afraid to look down
where his hopelessness led
Each breath getting shorter
his heart beating loud
One step from perdition
one step to enshroud
But then in an instant
a voice could be heard
Not friendly or caustic
but rooted and learned
“Well jump if you have to
defeat as your crown
Your sins to fall with you
—forgiveness unfound”
(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)
Beyond The Grave ?
Is anyone who’s dead as great
as anyone still living
Is legacy stronger than force of will
within those still alive
Can what’s been done command the state
of promise still forthcoming
Is speaking loud beyond the grave
an edict best unheard
(The New Room: June, 2022)
Romancing The Serpent
Poetic depiction
prosaic description
Vowels come in colors
the rest black and white
They call to us orphaned
they call to us nameless
Our pens but a lifeline
that save with each write
To romance the serpent
to anger the saint
Each word symptomatic
our feelings acquaint
A bard or a preacher
their weapons the same
Whose caliber loaded
—to praise or defame
(Radnor Pennsylvania: June, 2022)
Saving Grace
Silence is charmed
disaster avoided
New breath to infuse
fresh words on the run
Tomorrow disarmed
the instant unleashing
Each moment a present
—time gifted becomes
(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)
An Anthology Of Perception 