Small Wars Journal

The Long Winding Trail

Sun, 11/03/2019 - 9:22am

The Long Winding Trail

Keith Nightingale

1


Laden Grunts traversing the steep scree-laden hills

Preternaturally alert, analyzing

Cunning senses energized

Behind them, others followed

Olduvai Gorge to the Fertile Crescent to Everywhere

Anxious, alert, weapons ready

Burn-tipped spears

Obsidian blades

Leather slings

They are the survivors

As are all of us

Killers, honed and exercised

The apex predators of the Serengeti

Past Denisovans, Cro-Magnons, Neanderthals

Protecting what is dear

The survivors of evolution, procreation and action

Potential victims, vanquishing

Growing in capacity

The Plains, so forbidding and threat laden

Hungry animals and pseudo peoples

Ever anxious to kill competition and eat the results

Then, a spear, a sling, a rock in hand

Now a rifle and a radio

The brain, the ultimate weapon

Honed and expanded by negative experience

Eyes watchful, brain computing, muscles awaiting commands

Primordial exhilaration in victory

Lessons learned and imbedded

Repetitively, as a chemical and organic process

The survivors

A long winding trail

Ever more skillful in the task

The survivors

Our DNA now on display

Time and experience

Expanding capability

Survival of the fittest

Nature’s combat lessons

Hard won on the winding trail

Further, into the unseen distance

Categories: infantry

About the Author(s)

COL Nightingale is a retired Army Colonel who served two tours in Vietnam with Airborne and Ranger (American and Vietnamese) units. He commanded airborne battalions in both the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. He later commanded both the 1/75th Rangers and the 1st Ranger Training Brigade.

Comments

neelyang77

Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:57am

I can confidently say that this tool https://seranking.com/position-tracking.html - a game-changer for anyone serious about their SEO strategy. With real-time tracking and easy-to-understand reports, I can see exactly where my website ranks and make informed decisions to improve my visibility. Plus, the ability to track my competitors gives me a major edge in the market and different search engines and locations. Try it for yourself and see the difference it can make for your online business!

marcumharrison1

Tue, 09/27/2022 - 10:19pm

Card Thief — лучшая мобильная игра от Tinytouchtales is one of the best games I have played, and here is the reason why. This game has great visuals, to start. You can really appreciate the game because of the excellent art and smooth gameplay. One drawback of mobile gaming is the occasionally sluggish gameplay, which breaks up the concentration in the game. But with this game, none of that happens. So if you are interested to try it,  just link this pc download link.

AllenWalter

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 9:03am

We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional solutions while offering web design and development services, graphic design services, organic SEO services, social media services, digital marketing services, server management services and Graphic Design Company in USA.