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’
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 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)
Waterfall Unknown
Palliative to hospice,
I jump from stone to stone
The river waits in silence
—its waterfall unknown
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)
The Future To The Past
To tell if you’re a Poet,
from the first line to your last
Do your words connect with feeling
—the future to the past
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)
A Motorcycle & Leather Bag
A motorcycle and leather bag,
life seemed so perfect then
When everything I cared about…
my backseat was for them
The world was such a smaller place,
ideas grandiose
To wander aimlessly I did,
and never be morose
The road became my staunchest friend,
new places passing by
Those girls I met, the love I spent,
the promise in their eyes
That special place my memory held,
for years now time sets free
A motorcycle—a leather bag,
and all that was to be
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)
Seduction
You strive for complexity,
missing the truth
Your thoughts trumping feeling
—ego seduced
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2017)
In Your Smile
I want to know you…
not about you
The devil in the details
—all heaven in your smile
(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2019)
Dedicated To Nina Simone
A Melody So Right
Stepping over the line,
in pursuit of a song
Could a melody so right
—ever be so wrong
(Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania: July, 2019)
-
Author:
Kurt Philip Behm (
Offline) - Published: July 14th, 2019 09:51
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 34
- User favorite of this poem: Laura🌻.
Offline)
Comments4
Kurt,
A touching poem!
I love the reference to
Gregg Allman and how upon hearing his song ‘Melissa’, your ‘true destiny was found’!
Reading this poem and all your other literary works, have given me a tiny peek of who you are!
~Laura~
The last time I was with him, we spent three days together in Richmond where he
was performing at the Coliseum.
Every time I told him about my daughter 'Melissa' his eyes would well up and he would
get up from the table and take a short walk.
A really special man!
Indeed...
...as you are a really special author!
2 more comments
Imagine...
‘A motorcycle—a leather bag’...
and to be free...
not much to ask for...
or was it?
The best years, thanks
Within the brevity of this poem, you’ve
conveyed a great deal!
Beautifully written!
Eight words that speak volumes...
“I want to know you...
not about you”
It must be the greatest smile to behold!
I liked this one very much!
Thanks, I'm glad.
All beautiful works, hard to find a favorite. I did see the comments about Greg Allman and found them fascinating! Wonderful!!!
Thanks so much again, Christina.
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