Tele-radar charted the snail-like
Ever-closing course of the Outsiders
Through the long days and nights
While reconnaissance helicopters
Reported the slightest movement
To the General at his headquarters
Atop the Trade Center in Chicago.
The General who was retired
Had been living in Charleston
Gardening, golfing, drinking
Dictating his memoirs
And becoming increasingly distressed
That he could not retire his mind
Had accepted with his usual
Outward stoic calm and private trepidation
The call to command the forces
And, if necessary, repel the invasion.
Now he blinked every waking second
Smoked when he was not eating
And was back to drinking at night.
Bedtime found his tall stiff frame
Stooped and aching as though
He had stormed Normandy all by himself.
This was no ordinary enemy
If ever there was such a thing
And no ordinary civil uprising.