To Shibumi 'rest In Peace' Poem by Kurt Philip Behm

"I drive people away,
that's what I do
To stay away
myself renewed"

My life was meant
To be lived alone
In spite of what
You think you know
Inside myself
My only home
Whose armor never
Chinks when stoned

My life bereft
I know to you
Seems lonely
Often misconstrued
But joy from heaven
Self-contained
Unto myself
Lives unrestrained

"If I drove you away, please take heart,
my back was turned to all
To die alone, my most fervent wish
—with no one left to call"

(Villanova Pennsylvania: April,2014)