The eight soldiers entered the helicopter
destined for a covert mission
leaving base silently in the early hours
for a mission into enemy terrain
an experienced battle hardened team
regarded in high esteem!
With no indication anything was wrong
yet each soldier had anxiety
that they would never openly display
their emotions had to control
the signal came nearing dropping zone
now entering the unknown!
As they slid quickly down the long ropes
there was a ninth shape
that dropped with them onto the sand
following the group into action
and to buildings on the town periphery
the beginning of the mystery!
They were tense the adrenaline pumping
their mission to extract
two recently captured special forces officers
from a terrorist compound
a dangerous task yet they were distracted
that with them it interacted!
As the team edged nearer they spread out
to cover each others position
two were snipers who were here to eliminate
any guards on their way
drawing near distinct footsteps came close
made them feel tense and morose!
Unable to speak being in the danger zone
now the outline of the soldier
could be seen who was the uninvited guest
now far too late to abort
the window of opportunity was so very fine
into action went the nine!
Through winding alleyways stealthily ran
night vision guiding their progress
until the target came into view they halted
each trying hard to focus
sensing the entity hovering in the shadows
the concentration narrows!
With the men in their positions the order is given
and they enter the compound
stun grenades deployed any opposition silenced
aiming for the specific rooms
only to find the men were nowhere to be seen
a situation not foreseen!
Trying to exit quickly gunfire held them back
realising it was a preplanned trap
split in two groups unsure of the opposition
heard voices and more gun fire
moving slowly forward came into the open air
as the ninth soldier stood there!
Waving his hand as if wanting them to follow
the four glanced at each other
out into the alleyways once more scurried
certainly not their planned route
firing could be heard close by as they united
eight commando delighted!
Following the ninth unknown member to safety
soon on the open ground
stood in a circle thanking god they were all safe
disappointed the mission failed
thoughts turned to the guardian showing the way
from that deadly fray!
On cue the helicopter dropped from the dark sky
and they got on board waiting
from the shadows the outline of the ninth soldier
seemed to jump on with the team
yet nobody was seen but each knew he was there
their comrade felt no fear!
Even from beyond the grave the soldier’s spirit stayed
to guide his living compatriots
forever on the battle lines ready to give his support
on landing none would tell
of the soldier that certainly helped them to survive
who would believe a ghost kept them alive!
Who the ninth spirit was never did get discovered!
The Foureyed Poet.
Malctg - #TheFoureyedPoet.
#TheFoureyedPoet. 