The Wingman

--a term known to all families of pilots; the comrade who flies slightly below and behind you, protecting you form unseen harm--

THE WINGMAN

 

The ebon jackdaw flew down and sat

Upon a sign, atop a tree

Whereon was writ, in languages three

“Of Jews, I Am The KING”; just that.

 

Feathers not preening, head looked not ‘round,

Its caws and cackles quite o’erthrown

By guttural gasp and gentle moan,

By the blood dripping onto the ground.

 

The scoffers rude at His feet stood,

While beyond His comrades wept,

 

Then with final groan these words escaped:

“It is finished,” then He slept.

 

‘pon hearing that, the ‘daw took His wing,

As Jesus’ spirit skyward leapt…

 

Mark Teague

Author's Note

This had been posted a week before I realized that NOT everyone might even be familiar with the term "wingman". In fighter pilot parlance, he is the comrade who flies slightly behind and below you. We've all heard "Got your six", and "twelve o'clock high"; these are pilot jargon as well--imagine your nose as the noon position of a clock's face, and your wingman will be at your "four" or your "eight".
A second symbolism that no one has yet mentioned was the use of the jackdaw, a member of the blackbird family. The blackbird and all his kin are widely used throughout the world's religions as harbingers of death.

Reviews

[Emily B]

expertly written

[patricia]

This poem was almost musical in its rythm...each hand picked word fitted like a glove...gutteral gasp and gentle moan...hurt my heart with its mystical suffering..you captured the foot of calvary for me there Mark...Thankyou

[Hollow Man]

Mark, the sounds here are amazing. And the symbolism, well, I love a poem I have to research. That goes along well with the old-school language. Well done sir

[Markymark]

A very different spin to make the reader re-visualize a familiar scene. I would have never have thought of doing something like this. For an instant the scene is shifted from the Christ to the jackdaw. The symbolism(s) are neither of which I would have attempted to place in the crucifixion, but you have pulled it off.

Good job buddy...

Mark

[Cherrie]

Very inspirational and graceful

[KAREN]

Love the meaning and the flow! The poem itself is very powerful!

[Samuel Dickens]

How eloquently you have you have shown this imaginative glimpse of the crucifixion. A very worthy effort.

[Nobody.]

Love the flow and feel of this. It's nicely done and says a lot in a small compact package. Enjoyed.