Kurt Philip Behm

Last Words (+2)

Writing the final chapter…

the bells in the tower ring for me

Once for each phrase unwritten

twice for each grievance atoned

 

—as—

 

“Schoolchildren rise

pulling back the covers on the flowering meadow

Singing my words

blessing the fields as they run

 

“Memory half gone

released into the cradle of times rebirth

Taking what I gave

and leaving what I could not forgive

 

“The reasons, the seasons

melding together, flashing lost images

Redeeming their promise

christening new moments forever endowed

 

“Yesterday and tomorrow

I am free of their deception

My last words to stay hidden

—in the laughter of a child”

 

(The New Room: June, 2022)

 

 

Bird In Hand

 

Money for today

but not for tomorrow

Bees in the bonnet

cows in the barn

 

Poverty lessens

the weight of ambition

Our wishes and dreams

back burner to warm

 

Love for today

but not for tomorrow

Feelings with shelf lives

 spoiled by date

 

The moment usurps

each hour an orphan

Whose bird in the hand

—neither early nor late

 

(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)

 

 

Heat Rises

 

Answer with Poetry…

tempted by Prose

Passions arousing,

feelings exposed

 

Silence your dialog,

 parry in verse

Now more than ever

—quenching your thirst

 

(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)