The Wingman

The Wingman

A Poem by Mark
"

--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

© 2011 Mark


Author's Note

Mark
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.

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Reviews

expertly written

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago


Very inspirational and graceful

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago


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

Posted 13 Years Ago



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1574 Views
32 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 1 Library
Added on February 7, 2011
Last Updated on February 16, 2011
Tags: 'daw, jackdaw, wing, wingman

Author

Mark
Mark

Las Vegas, NV



About
Writing, for me, has always been the friend who brought out the best in me, and who would never argue with me, except when necessary to point out my many obvious inconsistancies. Writing and.. more..

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