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Free Verse

Mistaken Steps


Running off

to somewhere else

the past tracks

close behind

 

Its shadow looming

steps in place

while preying

to remind

 

That time pursues

the fleetest man

with doggedness

and ire

 

To kindle each

mistaken step

into a raging

— fire

 

(The New Room: December, 2025) 

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Kurt Philip Behm

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▾ This Poem's Voice

Your Poem's Voice

PersonalThemeAbstract

Philosophical meditation on time's pursuit, abstracted from specific autobiography.

SparseMeasureDense

Multiple layered ideas: flight, pursuit, time, consequence compressed densely.

DarkSentimentBright

Dark, threatening tone with fire and pursuit imagery; ominous overall.

StillEnergyExplosive

Driving rhythm, kinetic verbs (running, pursuing, kindle), urgent pacing.

MicroLengthEpic

Approximately 6 lines; micro to very short poem range.

PlainFigurativeOrnamented

Rich metaphors: time as predator, shadow, fire; personification throughout.

LyricVoiceDramatic

Primarily lyric internal reflection with observational distance; minimal dramatic persona.

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