Author: Kurt Philip Behm

I am a lifelong author with 21 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 8 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. Vol #7- Approaching Storm Vol #8- Brothers In Blood 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

Bird In Hand

Money for today

but not for tomorrow

Bees in the bonnet

cows in the barn

 

Poverty lessens

the weight of ambition

Our wishes and dreams

back burner to warm

 

Love for today

but not for tomorrow

Feelings with shelf lives

 spoiled by date

 

The moment usurps

each hour an orphan

Whose bird in the hand

—neither early nor late

 

(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)

Last Words Unwritten

Writing the final chapter…

the bells in the tower ring for me

Once for each phrase unwritten

twice for each grievance atoned

 

—as—

 

“Schoolchildren rise

pulling back the covers on the flowering meadow

Singing my words

blessing the fields as they run

 

“Memory half gone

released into the cradle of times rebirth

Taking what I gave

and leaving what I could not forgive

 

“The reasons, the seasons

melding together, flashing lost images

Redeeming their promise

christening new moments forever endowed

 

“Yesterday and tomorrow

I am free of their deception

My last words to stay hidden

—in the laughter of a child”

 

(The New Room: June, 2022)

New Patriots

Anarchy upon us

in less than ten years…

Nothing can stop it

neither hoping nor tears

 

The Founding Father’s

warning to ring…

“Revolution calling”

Jeffersonian brings

 

The mop or the handle

our floor will be cleaned

The face of new patriots

living unseen

 

Blood will be sacrificed

discord to reign

But out of its torrent

—freedom reclaimed

 

(Independence Hall: June, 2022)

 

Once Was A Time

The time for words near over

a curse upon the land

The devil plays his organ loud

in chords of dark command

 

The age of understanding

lay withered on the vine

What man had once embraced of man

new curses now opine

 

The gales of change blow deadly

the sun no longer sets

But sinks below our darkest fear

where hate forever nests

 

For those who can remember

as Arthur knelt to pray…

“Once was a time when Kings were boys

—and winds of war at bay”

 

(The New Room: June, 2022)