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

Which Rose

What’s in a title,

what’s in a name

What does it matter,

praise—or to blame

(Dreamsleep: May, 2020)

In The End…

Blue Collar—White Collar,

choking the same

Their difference endemic,

as time casts its blame

(Dreamsleep: May, 2020)

To Look Back

Before success,

the work had more meaning

Before success,

with nothing to fear

Before success,

all floor and no ceiling

Before success

—the mirror was clear

(Dreamsleep: May, 2020)

The Reach

How close can you get to the horizon,

how far does infinity feel

How near can you get to the distance,

that pulls, but then never reveals

(Dreamsleep: May, 2020)

A Hurt So Good

Writing pains my hand

—as it eases my heart

(Strafford Pennsylvania: November, 1976)

Lest We Forget

The rock,
stands against the wind in centuries old calm

Counting the years until our baptism,
sinking deeper still

Stoic to tell
lest we forget, engraved on a hill of blinding sun

Of barefoot painted dancers,
and children—future come

(Mesa Verde Colorado: October, 1976)

Mourning’s Roar

Monuments of distraction,

portals from hell

The gates, the temptation,

where the misguided dwell

Three dimensions the material,

where emptiness hides

The lions all roaring

from cages inside

The pathways worn smooth,

the comfort is there

The direction indifferent,

when worn with a flair

The roads have all ended,

turned in on themselves

And darkness locks tightly,

all souls on the shelf

The shadows of lateness,

behind monuments fall

Where seeds never sewn,

grow heavy and tall

In an orchard of indulgence

the trophies are stained

The fruit of the promise

rots endorsed in your name

The music is dimming,

there’s darkness ahead

Those memories that haunt us,

escort us to bed

Where the covers are pulled back,

and the curtains are tied

All change now beyond us

. . . in mourning we lie

(Shiprock New Mexico: May, 1996)

Vox A Priori

A Poet first,

long before the first word

Musings inherent

—crying to be heard

(Dreamsleep: May, 2020)

Sold Unborn

Give me back my kidnapped youth,

distiller of the night

Return the sun from whence it’s gone,

expose this darkened fright

Give me back the future-past,

all memory on the run

Return those days once sold unborn

—to where my joy has gone

(Villanova Pennsylvania: May, 2020)

Carnal Madness

The prostrate lizard,
hated savior,
crawls the crooked road to the city

Figures, sinking with the light,
bending your prayers
—watching the sun

Light retreats
as shadows leave,
emptying space for a new awareness

Its carnal madness
telling again and again
—how far you’ve come

(West Philadelphia: December, 1972)