Post Command

Old generals, some say,
Don't die, but fade away,
But it's not that simple
Nor dramatic nor clean,
There's multiple outcomes,
If you know what I mean...
Some become symposium talkers
While others are dog walkers,
There's sitters at board meetings
Givers of Walmart greetings,
Some relearning how to drive,
Others just happy to be alive...
Ultimately -- shine, fizzle, or fade,
Each sleeps in the kind of bed he made.