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

No Deal

You can’t make a deal

with a Judas

As tenured

they govern on high

 

Like the British

who sought our indenture

With graft and self-interest

they lie

 

You can’t play the game

any longer

When rules only favor

the few

 

Where freedom is held

as a hostage

And verity’s fairness

— askew

 

(The New Room: March, 2025)

Deep Inside

Don’t tell

me

what I

already know

 

Don’t give

me

what I

already have

 

Don’t take

me

where I’ve

already been

 

Don’t play

me

what I’ve

already heard

 

Dissuading

moments

when left

unbound

 

Preempt

the silence

a devil’s

sound

 

But deep

inside

satanic

winds

 

A Savior

whispers

beyond

— the din

 

(Dreamsleep: April, 2025)

 

Whispering Still

Shepherds

of echo  

sirens

that call

Masters

of legend

trapped

in the Fall

 

Moonlight

on ice fields

whispering

still

Voices

stay buried

destiny’s

will

 

Sunlight

awakens

mountains

that sigh

Hidden on

summits

new answers

there hide

 

But with

 every Spring

a melting

ensues

Flowing

life’s message

recalled

— and renewed

 

(Memories Of Absaroka: May, 1997)

No Candy This Year

The eggs had been colored

and scattered about

The baskets were hidden

the children to shout…

“Was he here Mom, was he here”

they yell from upstairs

“Come down and find out”

she says—nary a care

Their little feet rush

taking two steps at once

Wide eyes dart all over

playing their hunch

Living and dining rooms

they tear with a fever

No corner is safe

from the incursion of either

“I found it, I found it”

the bigger one said

The smaller one saddened

their heart filled with dread

“The Bunny forgot

there’s no candy this year”

From across the big room

the first start of a tear

“The Bunny never forgets”

their mother cried out

“You have to look harder

both inside and out”

As the front door was opened

the little one chimed …

“Mom, he didn’t forget

— it was here all the time”

 

(To My Grandchildren: Easter 2017)