Saturday, February 7, 2009

A Dying Spider

Something we all know is fear.
Some, more than others become intimate with it.

October 17th, 1969, Suy Koa Valley, Viet Nam

"Four-four, Get out of there, you're on fire..."
the radio screams in your ears. An R.P.G. in the
fuel cell flying past a ridge in the valley.

The smoke, heat and flames you know are there
only show on the instruments now.
The bird was hit...Hit hard.

For a moment time stops...You see the jungle below,
the fear on the co-pilots face.
Hear the crew chief and door gunner yelling.
The packs are screaming.

Time rushes back in, seconds you need are tearing past you.
Engines out, left pedal turn, and try for the mouth of the valley.
Auto-rotate, extend it.
"Christ!" "Not in the trees...We'll go up like a balloon there."

Too low, too fast...Clear of the trees, and flare.
"Flare out the God Damned speed."
You scream, "Get those grunts out of here."
No one hears, but they are jumping.
Crew chief and door gunner on the skids outside,
Impact! Thrown forward, and back...One time.
Flames overhead, licking your shoulders

Time slows again. Images you will keep.
Door gunner thrown forward, rolling just under the blades.
Crew chief outside your door, trying to open it.
Tearing his hands on it...Its buckled in a crazy vee.
Co-pilot hitting his door, the windshield, then between the seats and out.

Time speeds again...Fall through the shattered windshield.
Grab the crew chief's arm, and run.
Behind a rice paddy dike. Look back.
The birds engulfed in flames.
The blades just now slowing to a stop.
Curling up, in the fire.
Like a dying spiders legs.

Two-six is landing behind you, run to meet it. Hop on.
Co-pilot turns, yelling "Two-two picked up your troops."
"One may got a broken leg."

One last look, lean back.
Try to light a cigarette through your shakes.
Two minutes...It's over.
"Oh God."