Mirrored And Staged Poem by Kurt Philip Behm

Is it novel,
or the persona of
writing a book

Is it accomplishment,
or the ability to
brag and to strut

Is it knowledge,
or the prestige of
having a degree

Is it passion,
or a fire blown out
in the breeze

Is it devotion,
or the favors
your hope seeks to buy

Is it emotion,
or an act put on
while others cry

Is it loyalty,
or the badge you
can wear on your sleeve

Is it heartbreak,
or just words feigned
to con and deceive

Is it strength,
or the muscles that bulge
in your arm

Is it beauty,
or the makeup you wear
when you charm

Is it vision,
or a view from
another's back porch

Is it time,
or the minutes and hours
you torch

Is it courage,
on the backs of soldiers
who paid

Is it love,
or an image
just mirrored and staged

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July,2016)