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105 · Apr 2021
Andalusia
Kurt Philip Behm Apr 2021
Forever romancing
that lingering question…

Quixotic by decree
—windmills turning free

(Dreamsleep: April, 2021)
105 · Feb 2022
Hollow Grams
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2022
Distant meandering,
macro denial
the moment a slave
to eternity’s child

Caught on a tether,
all freedom a myth
the boundaries self-serving
with nothing at risk

The sum past the tally,
its measure unscored
the players outnumbered
their names to obscure

Distant meandering,
macro denial
a lens that won’t focus
—an image beguiled

(Dreamsleep: February, 2022)
105 · Aug 2017
At The Gate
Kurt Philip Behm Aug 2017
The writing came early,
  the reading came late

The knot hanging loosely
—untied at the gate

(Villanova Pennsylvania: August, 2017)
105 · Mar 2021
Tendered In Blood
Kurt Philip Behm Mar 2021
Disbursing our lives in a state of malaise,
scars become currency
—for debts still unpaid

(Dreamsleep: March, 2021)
105 · Jun 2019
Its Unrest
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2019
Can you ever prove a negative,
  have you ever really tried

To show that God does not exist,
or love not verified

‘To Be Or Not To Be’
is then a half-truth at the best

Belief a claim you can’t defame
  —with logic its unrest

(St Davids Pennsylvania: June, 2019)
105 · Mar 2019
A Grandfather's Divorce
Kurt Philip Behm Mar 2019
He never told me when he left her,
  I’d go through a Grandfather’s divorce

The kids remote and distant
  all contact scant and forced

My love sits idly waiting
  for the phone to ring again

Saying “Papa we want to see you”
  but Mommy’s mad at men

My heart left cold and broken
  warm wishes unreturned

As two children fight to understand
  —a world left dark and burned

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2019)
105 · Aug 2019
Eternity Unknown
Kurt Philip Behm Aug 2019
Did you try to take it with you,
did you really think you could

Did your journey end abruptly,
as you never thought it would

Are those things that you acquired,
much of comfort to you now

Are those dreams left uninspired,
parked on someone else’s cloud

Did you once just say “I’m sorry,”
for those things you didn’t do

Did you weep in fearful moments,
for those things you wished you knew

Was your lack of all contrition,
what’s now written on your stone

Is your map unmarked and barren
—all eternity unknown

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2017)
105 · Sep 2018
Beyond Time Allowed
Kurt Philip Behm Sep 2018
My job is to make the unlikely happen
  my passion driven to embrace the bliss

My vocation seeks to find the answers
  my avocation wanders—soul remiss

My intellect bargains away the hours
  my spirit embraces each moment now

My story when told is about the journey
   that road I traveled—beyond time allowed

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2018)
105 · Nov 2018
Chamberlain Falls
Kurt Philip Behm Nov 2018
Refusing to fight the major war,
  the war based on principles,
  the one we can win

We’re forced to fight a never-ending series
  of political wars,
  ones that we can only lose

We’re trapped in the middle of Appeasement River
  and headed for Chamberlain Falls,
  terror awaiting in the rapids now ahead

Slowing down the current or rowing harder wont
  save us, it only extends the time of our demise,
  capitulation pulling us under toward the roar

As a country, we’re now in the middle of that river
  arguing over who has the water rights,
  arguing over whose paddle is best

Until we get off the river and back on dry land,
  Chamberlain Falls will continue to pull
     —and Armageddon will continue to call

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)
105 · Apr 2021
Tally Ho
Kurt Philip Behm Apr 2021
2 + 2 - 4 = Freedom

(Dreamsleep: April, 2021)
105 · Feb 2021
Breaking Ground
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2021
Shovel ready verse,
new soil to disturb

Whose well to make deeper
—its draft future heard

(Dreamsleep: February, 2021)
105 · Jun 2018
That One Thing
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2018
Only one thing calls out to heart, body,
  and mind

Causing seas to part—where yourself you will
  find  

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)
104 · Jul 2018
This Moment Divine
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2018
The older the day
  the sweeter the memory

The sweeter the memory
  no reasons to find

No reasons to find
  tomorrow unmentioned

Tomorrow unmentioned
—the present divine

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2018)
104 · Oct 2017
What Happens Now
Kurt Philip Behm Oct 2017
I died somewhere in between
  the dream and the wake up call

Wondering which side had turned
  me in

Wondering which side had shut
  me out

Wondering in the darkness
—what happens now

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2017)
104 · Aug 2017
Today Grieves
Kurt Philip Behm Aug 2017
Is it ever enough,
  will it ever be enough

Today grieving for tomorrow
—all truth in the past

(Villanova Pennsylvania: August, 2017)
104 · Apr 2017
The Jilted Muse
Kurt Philip Behm Apr 2017
A better critic
  than writer…

Your tongue sharpens,
  as your pen hacks

Bastardized on the altar
  of cold description

Disavowed by the jilted Muse,
—ink bleeding red

(Villanova Pennsylvania: April, 2017)
104 · Feb 2021
Black Elk's Prayer
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2021
“Fire of my words…
vanish like smoke
into a raging sky
Blanket forever
the memory
of my being”

(Pine Ridge South Dakota: July, 2009)
104 · Jul 2022
Alone In The Wilderness
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2022
If we can’t agree on fifty-one percent
of what affects us both
we’re doomed
Like the baby and the bathwater
our future lost
in critical disdain

All politics of division
a self-imposed, self-righteous
Armageddon
The brotherhood of humanity
sacrificed
—on its dying altar of shame

(Tribute To Anthony Hopkins:  July, 2022)
104 · Jun 2018
Forever Wondering Why
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2018
A captive of his genius
And prisoner of his insight
The Jester played New York
Like a fiddler on the run
The truth always just a step
Ahead or behind his perception
The music caught in between
Like an opera singer’s pause for breath
‘The Times Were A Changing’
—and he was left forever wondering why

(Dallas Texas: June, 2018)
104 · Jan 2024
My Advice To Poets
Kurt Philip Behm Jan 2024
When you find your true voice
marry it
— never to divorce

(Deamsleep: January, 2024)
104 · Jul 2024
+1-
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2024
+1-
Without me
you’re nothing
With me
— nothing more

(Dreamsleep: July, 2024)
104 · Jul 2017
Light Or Chains
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2017
Truth shows no favorites,
  all lies judged the same

Freedom or prison
—its light or its chains

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2017)
104 · Nov 2019
Many As One
Kurt Philip Behm Nov 2019
Many faiths,
one hope

Many questions,
one plea

Many voices,
one vow

Many wishes
—one dream


(Dreamsleep: November, 2019)
104 · May 2019
To Laura Nyro
Kurt Philip Behm May 2019
Escaping myself,
  I ran into the wilderness

Escaping myself,
  I ran back through the dawn

Escaping myself,
  my shadow had vanished

Until capturing myself
  —in the words of your song

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2014)
104 · May 2020
Waiting In The Cold
Kurt Philip Behm May 2020
Twilight…
day surrendering
light into
submission,
taking a knee
before the night,
entrusting its
future
to a darkness
unknown,
waiting in the cold
—for dawn to return

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2018)
104 · Apr 2022
My Soul's Domain
Kurt Philip Behm Apr 2022
Wisdom is of greater weight
than valor, pride, or name
It harbors in my deepest thoughts
to rule my souls’ domain

Choices made my kingdom saved
though others yet to see
My heart and mind ensconced as one
—the future mine to free

(Dreamsleep: April, 2022)
104 · Dec 2023
Posteriori
Kurt Philip Behm Dec 2023
It wasn’t fate
—it just was

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)
104 · Jan 2024
Fidelity Cries
Kurt Philip Behm Jan 2024
Marrying war
the true soldier is wed
Betrothal of blood
asleep in his bed

The men he would die for
as groomsmen rejoice
A vow ringed in glory
his weapon of choice

The years become marked
by each battle romanced
Anniversaries pledged
at the point of a lance

Divorce not an option
fidelity cries
His love bleeding freely
—with honor his bride

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)
104 · Jun 2019
Diamond Of The Soul
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2019
May your reasons bejewel in truth
—the diamond of the soul

(Villanova Pennsylvania: December, 2016)
104 · Jun 2024
Last Gasp
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2024
When battling
time
the moment
retreats

Oxygen
fades
with light
dimming fast

Wishes
vacant
breath
dark and shallow

Words
once
treasured
— adrift and begone

(Dreamsleep: June, 2024)
104 · Jun 2018
What Sleep Can't Befriend
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2018
Are you the hero
  of a recurring dream

Or the victim
  of a life undone

Are you the ambassador
  for all you esteem

Or a fugitive
—a soul on the run

Are you a real friend
  beyond trial and strife

Whose allegiance
  now stalwart defends

Are you the true master
  of all your desires

Or the ghost
—of what sleep can’t befriend

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)
104 · Oct 2024
Remembering Fyodor
Kurt Philip Behm Oct 2024
“If you spend half your time
trying to change human nature
You’ll spend the other half
being disappointed”

If you spend half your time
waiting for someone to love
You’ll spend the other half
waiting to die

If you spend half your time
questioning the truth in the answers
You’ll spend the other half
missing the point

If you spend half your time
following the tracks of another
You’ll spend the other half
— wondering why


(Dreamsleep: October, 2024)
104 · Feb 2021
The Last Laugh
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2021
Told over and over,
the lie became true

As memory inverted,
the falsehood imbued

My cornerstone crumbling,
sticks piled with straw

A last self-deception
—the fantasy law

(Rosemont Pennsylvania: February, 2021)
104 · Jun 2019
Mortgaged Dreams
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2019
Hand me down memories,
borrowed not owned

Dreams that are mortgaged
—the present on loan

(Villanova Pennsylvania: December, 2016)
104 · Aug 2017
Last Bet
Kurt Philip Behm Aug 2017
Waiting to die,
  he took one last card

Waiting to die,
  the dealer stared hard

Waiting to die,
  his wager was late

Waiting to die,
  which Joker abates

Waiting to die,
  the odds become clear

Waiting to die,
  last gamble with fear

Waiting to die,
  fate out of the deck

Waiting to die,
—his soul his last bet

(Villanova Pennsylvania: August, 2017)
104 · May 2022
The Fury Of Rage
Kurt Philip Behm May 2022
I deleted another poem tonight
and the Muse raged into fury
“You never asked for my permission” she said,
as her voice thundered deeply inside
“You’ll pay for this in sleepless hours
and nights when dreams are truant…”
Her promises kept, my nights defiled,
and days drag on untethered
As I write yet another “I’m sorry” to her
in verse both coarse and dry

(The New Room: May, 2022)
104 · Jun 2022
Hooked By One Horn
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2022
You’ll never be sure
until you might die
Power imploding
—rebirthed in goodbye

(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)
104 · Jul 2021
Fading Mirage
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2021
A temporary truth
—fleeting denial

(Dreamsleep: June)
104 · Feb 2021
Until
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2021
Time is a drug,
both good and bad

Infecting and curing,
the happy sad

Time is a stipend,
to cash at will

Its fund ever spending
—to last until

(The New Room: February, 2021)
104 · Aug 2023
The Drawbridge Closes
Kurt Philip Behm Aug 2023
Old age brings
delusion
Youth the vengeful
liar
Caught between
confusion reigns
As time restokes
the fire

Tweedledee
and Tweedledum
The Brothers Grimm
delight
What doesn’t rob
by light of day
Will steal from you
at night

Wisdom rots on
twisted vines
That choke
the palace walls
Where jesters climb
in ill attempts
To heed the
emperor’s call

Senility
humility
Where folly
once was young
The years have come
the tears have stayed
—tomorrow on the run

(The New Room: August, 2023)
104 · Jun 2018
Each Footstep Free
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2018
My walk each day
Takes me away
Where I can stray
My mind to play

Each trek it seems
Awakens dreams
And thoughts to be
  —each footstep free

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)
104 · Dec 2023
Joy Abstained
Kurt Philip Behm Dec 2023
Blame …  
deep and abiding
Praise …
a fleeting call
Infliction kills
affection shills
Their contrast
casts a pall

One …
a timeless burden
The other …
flits away
Tomorrow’s pain
all joy abstained
Entrapped
—where memories stay

(The New Room: December, 2023)
104 · Jun 2019
A Future Wish
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2019
The children left
The memories stayed
Feelings caught
Between
Now and before

Doors opening
Doors closing again
Future wish
Written
—hoping for more

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2016)
104 · Mar 2023
"Thou Shalt Not ..."
Kurt Philip Behm Mar 2023
The world is not driven by greed
it’s driven by envy …
Commandment 10 is carved in stone
positioned at the end
Where old injunctions miss their mark
a covetous reminder
Desirous of another’s place
—the devil painted green

(Dreamsleep: March, 2023)
104 · Jul 2018
Stigmata
Kurt Philip Behm Jul 2018
Wringing feelings
Like a sponge…
The words dripped down
From my lips
Onto the page
  —staining my soul

(Villanova Pennsylvania: May, 2016)
104 · Feb 2021
Beyond The Rim
Kurt Philip Behm Feb 2021
Is identity a reference
to all that I’m not
or something else again
Is what I’m becoming
and what I am
in contrast clearly plain
Or then is it more
and crossing over
to what I’ve not yet been
The border amorphous
where gravity pulls
—to dance beyond the rim

(Rosemont Pennsylvania: February, 2021)
104 · Sep 2017
Beyond The Sound
Kurt Philip Behm Sep 2017
Knowing the music wouldn’t last,
  his lyrics waxed poetic

Becoming immortal beyond the sound
—all history bowing within

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2017)
104 · Jun 2018
Dark Knight
Kurt Philip Behm Jun 2018
Authenticity,
Does the word ring true
Does it call from the outside
Or the inside of you

Authenticity,
Your voice renewed
Zero-sum once committed
Zero-sum payment due

Barnes & Noble: Plymouth Meeting Pa:  January, 2016
104 · Mar 2021
Futurity
Kurt Philip Behm Mar 2021
From here to eternity,
breakfast to lunch
The distance bespoke,
new hole card to punch

As yards change to meters,
fruition in sight
All travel inherent
—day changing to night

(Dreamsleep: March, 2021)
104 · Dec 2024
Ernesto
Kurt Philip Behm Dec 2024
The story of revolution
the glory of Che
The fury of wander
a doctor’s foray

Silver spoon of his birth
the high noon of choice
A tune peasants cling to
that force in his voice

Daring insurrection
then falling from grace
Each stalling acceptance
a rebel’s embrace

His legend in khaki
a friend to the weak
Unbending in spirit
— both joyous and bleak

(Dreamsleep: December, 2024)
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