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

[An owl on the moon]

This is a profoundly moving, stunningly visual write. You take this epic moment in time and give it a chilling depth and movement. So powerful, Mark!

[Elizebeth Brooks]

A beautiful, and well written word. You really are the greatest at writing this way, my friend. I envy how well you write, but am honored to be able to read this. :-)

Sarah.