The day that marked my last salute, A journey has split in two, The role I played has walked away, Leaving echoes deep and blue. An extra part in life's grand play, A shadow without form or mask, A subject now of jests and laughs, A relic in forgotten past. My era closed, its curtains drawn, The deeds I could, I left in stone, A man who lived is now long gone, Breathless now, but seeds were sown. Retreating steps, no tales to weave, The pain endured won't fade away, No presence here, nor will I leave, No return for me to stay.