Beyond Her Shield Poem by Kurt Philip Behm

Using me as a weapon
and not a shield

The Muse would
parry and thrust

Attacking with a message
that wouldn't yield

She prowled my light hours
in disgust

The sword of my fathers
hers by right

To ensure
tonight's salvation

Collapsing the moment
reversing my sight

Each cut
a revelation

All time was dead
its hours uncast

As she thundered out a
mystery

Her lightning destroying
all futures past

My soul
—in forced recovery

(Villanova Pennsylvania: April,2015)