The LP/OP in Honduras

I was on that LP/OP in the ditch. When President Regan sent us down there.

The LP/OP in Honduras

Held together with nothing more than a prayer.

Wishing and hoping this nightmare would end.

 

Down the road the five did walk.

Something in their hands and on their backs, the way they held their formation stuck out in the dark.

 

Standing in a drainage ditch.

Rats feasting on my boots and scurrying around.

Just my bad luck the communications were down.

 

Do I load my magazine and chamber a round?

We were told to bury them at the bottom of our rucksacks.

Could I take the chance and not make a sound?

 

The night vision sights were of no use.

Dark was the night, darker than I ever knew.

 

Not a cricket chirped nor a frog croaked.

The night was deathly still, save for the five that came down the road.

 

Fixing my bayonet and still as a statue. I readied myself for anything unexpected.

 

Closer they came, my heart stuck in my throat.

It beats so loud, why won’t it stop?

I know they will hear the beating of my heart.

 

Closer they came, dammed rats won’t go away.

My palms sweaty, my freaking shadow will give me away.

They're almost here, I could reach out and touch them.

 

Suddenly they stop something gave me away.

The dammed rats just won’t go away.

 

Finally they move, they did not notice a thing.

The breath on one was a horrible thing.

 

Their shadows are almost out of sight.

The iron taste in my mouth will last all night.

 

Suddenly I realized I had wet myself.

And thanked the rats for making the noise that covered the sound of my beating heart.

Author's Note

For those who dont know what a LP/OP is, its a listning post/observation post. Usually 2 to 3 people are in it and its positioned out side the perimiter of the mian elemint. Kind of as an early warning of any one getting to close.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. What a nice and suspensful story you have shared with us done with some fun at the end...Bravo

[ron]

I tired to put in to words what it felt like that night.

[Sami Khalil]

You did...You are welcome...:)