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

Before Thereafter

“Why”

said the river,

refusing to run

“The mountain’s

on fire,

snow all but gone

“Beginning

or ending,

truth is the same

“The start

in the finish

—loss in the gain”

(The New Room: November, 2021)

No Mans Land

With little to gain

and much more to lose

the soldier reloads

no longer to choose

A fate most uncertain

all outcome in doubt

his soul placed in Limbo

—too late to back out

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Indelibly Inked

You can’t wash away loneliness,

it lurks and it spies

a stain on tomorrow

where destiny cries

You can’t keep what’s been stolen

or find what’s not there,

alone and deserted

—the soap of despair

(Dreamsleep: November, 2021)

Safe In Our Beds

Diminished

but ennobled,

the soldier came home

his two limbs

traded for the

sanctuary

of a deeper peace

Broken

in completeness,

his braces held proud

each battle

medaled

in the memory

—of his finest hour

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Baited & Switched

Salt lick temptation

lures that dangle,

camouflaged darkness

masks and blinds

Easily captured

when most attracted,

flypaper memories

—trap and bind

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Blind Side

The last day of vacation,

you told me things had changed

The last day of vacation,

each word seducing pain

The last day of vacation,

a new look in your eyes

The last day of vacation,

unveiling your disguise

The last day of vacation,

your back to turn away

The last day of vacation,

our future gone astray

That last day of vacation,

the sun had left the sky

That last day of vacation

—hello became goodbye

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Those Who Can’t…

Tin cup of criticism

hollow and blue

Empty aspersions

poison the brew

Its venom unasked for

distilling in pain

Opinion left rancid

—acidic and vain

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Stone Etchings

In judgment we are sentenced…

its verdict zero-sum

(The New Room: November, 2021)

As Diamonds Form

Poetry…

an endeavor of disturbing

contradictions

A recording of restless

anticipations

—and lasting treasure

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Crossroads

Winning and learning

losing and dying

a choice made

exclusive

—the moment undone

(The New Room: November, 2021)