Distant thumber rumbles
Rain drips, thinly patched roof
In kitchen, elderly wife mumbles
Of life at least tis proof

Arthritic hound twitches in sleep
Hunting rabbits, canine dream
One could wish, sleep so deep
Perhaps a chance soul to redeem

Stare into fireplace
Embers flare, smolder
Still cold this place
Bone marrow doth molder

This old man can still carry a torch
Moonshiners reacted in anger
Confronted them right on porch
In heat of moment, imminent danger

Nobody aware, nobody knows
Bodies six feet deep, cold
Neath snow, in ice froze
One less threat land doth hold

Now snow melts, dogs sniff about
Sheriff curious about what occurred
There a deputy in discovery shouts
Right and wrong, line so blurred

Shovels dig, dirt flies
Bodies soon to be found
By hand a gun, from chest a sigh
Round trigger guard finger wound

Wife unaware, barely herself
She’ll be better off alone
State will look after her heath
Knock at door, single shot to atone