Kurt Philip Behm

Stepping Stones (+1)

The devil

is a

dancer

In the

cabaret

of fire

 

His steps

are most

alluring

His eyes

beget

desire

 

He twirls

amongst

the partners

Disguised

but known

to all

 

And making

his

selection

A child

of Adam

— falls

 

**

 

Never let

reality

— obfuscate truth

 

Never let

the legend

— be tarnished by proof

 

Never let

the facts

— carry the day

 

Never let

the magic

— get reasoned away

 

**

 

 

Staying close

to the moment

the world made sense

 

In touch

with his feelings ...

tomorrow’s paid rent

 

Alone

with his questions

the answers collide

 

Breaking through

the unconscious

— forever alive

 

**

 

You can never tell

unless you show it first

What the eyes will see

— the mind will free

 

**

 

Colors drip down

but never up

Gravity’s palette

— rainbows to touch

 

**

 

 

Looking for a

socket

to plug in tomorrow

 

Looking for a

conduit

to exit today

 

Looking in a

mirror

reflecting my future

 

Looking until

breathing

— each word that I say

 

**

Hidden

in caverns

the words

rising forth

 

Each droplet

a treasure

in ladles

to pour

 

Through whirlwinds

of drought

and twisters

ordained

 

The wellspring

indulgent

to fill

— and sustain

 

**

 

 

 

There are no

accidents

though some

would explain

 

Cause

or causation

each hair splitting

phrase

 

What is

and what isn’t

their images

born

 

Unconsciously

conscious

in matter

— and form

 

**

 

 

The art of looking

grows slowly ...

Tall oaks in

the wind

 

The bison in

Winter ...

His warmth

from within

 

The art of seeing

takes longer ...

with each passing

glance

 

Reforming

the picture ...

you once left

askant

 

**

 

In the distance

pirates chase

like devils

on the wind

 

Tonight’s horizon

morning brings

 what destiny

— portends

 

**

 

Metaphor

only thrives and grows

forever

on the vine

 

Simile

lies a

rotting fruit

— bereft among the rinds

 

**

 

Yet So Far

 

Lost

in a simile

Chasing

a metaphor

 

Being

so close

Yet so far

— away

 

(Dreamsleep: March, 2026)