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

The Warrior Poet

Deadly to his enemies,

confusing to his friends

 

While faithful to his writing,

—all justified intent

 

Furious in times of war,

in peace his vision burns

 

But past the fray inside his verse,

a gentler spirit yearns

 

Salvation long then sacrificed,

a fate he can’t deny

 

A cross that’s left for him to bear,

but still his spirit cries

 

Through battles mostly devil sent,

and victories sealed with death

 

This guilt the price he’s had to pay,

now felt with every breath

 

One wish at last he prays out loud,

one cry is sent above

 

“My spear, my pen, my will to live

I trade all back for love”

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)

Baptized There

My life a poem, forego the count,

that comes in threes and fours

 

The space between to catch new breath,

that time may now allure

 

These moments gifted more than once,

constant in their prayer

 

Whose vow will cast the river wide

—new words to baptize there

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)

The Past Reclaimed

I didn’t know it at the time,

but my misspent youth was planned

 

The training ground for what I’d write,

then hard to understand

 

The many schools, the teachers chides,

expulsions my reward

 

Postgraduate work for future truth,

all voices untoward

 

The risks were high, survival mined,

Shangi-La, a vagrant’s room

 

My pen disclaimed, all actions shamed,

flat broke one afternoon

 

From the diner’s window I heard the song

that turned my life around

 

As Gregg Allman sang ‘Melissa,’

my true destiny was found

 

And today I harbor no regrets,

there’s no one left to blame

 

As I write the words for me hard one

—my sinful past reclaimed

 

(Strafford Pennsylvania: July, 2019)

‘Thank You, Gregg—I Miss You’

Legacy Recast

Like wine uncorked to breathe the air,

my heart and mind become

 

The richness of this life I’ve lived,

all fortune on the run

 

Not looking back, but looking in,

the key to feelings past

 

Where hides a treasure, memory locked

—its legacy recast

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)

No Longer Hot

Is there disappointment in arrival…

anticipation the crown jewel

 

Are the accolades left hollow,

uncertainty what’s new

 

Is acceptance yours or theirs to own,

all badges keyed to lock

 

Does your soul ignite once past the flame

—your words no longer hot

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)