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For a short period of time in the early 90's I was a Primary Forward Air Controller (PFAC). This was an exciting and very challenging role which involved guiding fast jets on to their targets. Problem was; once an attack had taken place and the pilots had flown away the PFAC would still be on the ground within sight of the enemy and they would be looking for him.
For some reason this role sprung to mind when I was tasked with writing a poem themed 'birds' for this months Open Mic. The poem took 15 minutes to write, I hope you like it.
The Twitcher
The birds flew in just after dawn.
They skimmed the treetops,
left ripples on the surface of the lake.
The first, and last, their prey knew of them
was a mighty, stomach wrenching, roar
as they flashed past;
leaving dust and devastation in their wake.
Up on the hill top
he tucked the laser away,
confirmed the kill,
then crawled over the brow,
stood and broke into a tab*.
Job done,
bug out.
John Carré Buchanan
19 May 2014
* Tab; A term the Paras' use to describe a run carrying full kit. A bit like the Royal Marines' 'Yomp', but faster ;-)
If you click on the link below you can listen to me read this poem.
A powerful read, of which I enjoyed, I also listened to your reading via the link, very good and well worth hearing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Julian, I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks also for your comment on the audio track.
DeleteA dangerous job from the sound of it.. so nicely described!
ReplyDeleteYes, a very dangerous job especially when you work as a 2 man team. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteNicely done I could picture the bird well
ReplyDeleteHi Jae Rose, Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteGlad that you wrote the explanatory words as well... What a frightening situation with these 'birds,' but what an important job!
ReplyDeleteI guess it was only frightening when things went wrong but it was always challenging. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWhat excitement added to danger, a good equation for this poem, well done
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
much love...
Thank you Gillena. I hope you have a good Sunday too.
DeleteWow, thanks for the explanation of this poem. I can see the man, exposed, on the ground as the great "birds" roared over.............I can see him, breaking into a "tab"......lickety split.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry, I'm glad the combined poem and introduction got the message across.
DeleteWhat a chilling place to be after the birds of prey has left... liked the reading a lot.
ReplyDeleteThank you, you are right but the adrenaline is flowing! Thanks for the comment on the reading, I've been experimenting with the audio and hoping people like it. Being disabled myself, I am trying to open things up to a slightly wider audience.
DeleteThis is so haunting! I like that you provided us with an explanation :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sanaa, I'm glad you found the explanation helpful.
DeleteI am thankful of the explanation. The "birds" descending...I truly love raptors and even though you were speaking of planes, my brain stuck on raptors. A very interesting and powerful read.
ReplyDeleteProhibit Toni, thank you for your comment, A lot of military aircraft are actually named after raptors, Falcon, Hawk, Harrier etc. I'm glad you liked the poem.
DeleteWow! I found this enjoyable and exciting
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Martin, I am glad you enjoyed the poem and that it conveyed excitement.
DeleteI very much enjoyed listening to the poem. (Like others, I found the explanation helpful).
ReplyDeleteHi Indybev, Thank you for commenting on the audio, I am considering doing more Readings and getting positive feedback is great.
DeleteNicely done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ayala, I am glad you liked the poem.
DeleteYou had me picturing it vividlyl.
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemary, I am glad my poem conveyed the imagery so well. Thanks for your kind comment.
DeleteLove the poem, but your audio really brought it home. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, thank you, I am beginning to feel like the audio is a bit of a hit.
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