A mysterious phenomenon,
encountered during extreme stress,
when survivors & explorers,
feel an unseen presence,
encouraging, giving guidance.
The third man factor...
It really intrigued my mind,
to understand underlying cause,
reading or watching accounts,
of those who made it through,
from life-threatening crisis.
Mountain climbers enduring blizzards,
stories of shipwreck survivors,
those lost in deserted lands,
or traveling alone long distance,
being exhausted to their limits.
When being vulnerable or in danger,
they could sense another presence,
which could be person or shadow,
accompanying, cheering, even directions,
until they overcome the predicament.
Researchers have given explanations,
skeptics doubt, even question intentions,
biological culprit being brain stimulations,
triggered from sensory deprivations,
attributing to evolutionary mechanisms.
The third man factor...
We may never discover the reasons,
physical symptom or spiritual revelations,
but it's comforting to believe something,
that might help us in precarious situations,
be it human psyche or metaphysical existence.