Panther calling Kestrel-- over
No response
Panther calling Kestrel-- over
No response
Panther calling Kestrel, time is critical--over
No response
Kestrel calling Panther, break in comms, big spinning top is taking us into wintertime, you are among friends, sending new coordinates-- over
No response
Kestrel calling Panther--over
No response
Panther this is Kestrel, need immediate sit rep-- over
Panther- 19 confirmed, 4 casualties, 4 walking-- over
Kestrel to Panther, go silent--over. (Fuck)
Kestrel calling Panther, change to arranged frequency
They were friendlies, need to put this down to a bad day at the office, it happens, passing upstairs to Hats. wait out
Kestrel calling Panther
Panther-- over
Status has now changed, this is no longer a friendly country,
Repeat this is no longer a friendly country, previous sit rep reads, 27 confirmed. Is this correct-- over
Panther………. correct……… over
Ok Panther- suggest immediate sabbatical, big bus is waiting.
Kestrel to Panther-out.
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Author:
Paul Bell (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: January 23rd, 2026 06:10
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 12
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments4
Well written. Paul, our world has changed. Your poem presents a dialogue between two operatives, Panther and Kestrel, who are in a high-stakes situation. The use of military communication language highlights the tension and urgency of their circumstances, as they navigate the chaos and uncertainty of a combat zone.
Communication at the right time is essential as we see in the chaos.
This one went south fast Paul. The message that I got was the by mistake friendlies were hit and the situation looked bad but the (possibly due to the mistake) those that were friendly became hostile and I half expected the response to be good now twenty seven confirmed enemy down a good day. This of course could be metaphorical as well as we twist the news of our failed escapades gone bad into success.
The poem does its best to distract from the eight that were still alive in the beginning, but were killed to keep the secret of the mistake.
Sadly it happens.
We bury our mistakes in unmarked graves
We sure do.
Paul, this is brutally effective. The radio exchanges build dread without explanation, and when clarity finally arrives, it’s already too late. Controlled, unsettling, and painfully real. Strong work. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Radios, who would have them.
Wow, needed a nebuliser after that! 🙏🏻🕊️
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