Pain...No More!

Pain...No More
by H.Nichols

In the dense forests of Appalachia, life was rough , lived two young boys courageous and tough.
Corn fed critters ages thirteen and seven, victims of beatings, our vengance was heaven.
Chris and Johnny love to play, in the hills of West Virginia, they will remain.
Pappy was huge, with eyes of black, drunk and ill tempered, we hid out back.
Graveyard cough, he snored out loud, he slept with an ax, and his head in the clouds.
In a fit of rage Pappy was dreamin', his ax swung fast, the boys went screamin'.
across the creaky boards of our run down shack, Johnny fell, Pappy whacked.
Chris watched in horror as Pappy smiled, dropped the ax and his foot followed.
Into the ribs he kicked me too, I run to help Johnny who's black and blue.
We ran fast to the lake, through the cool dark hollow, through the trails, no one can follow.
An eerie grey mist crept through the forest today, yellow eyes glowed and went away.
Looks like the devil dog from stories told, to avenge our kinfolk both young or old.
In the cave,where we now dwell, hunting meat and living well.
We called the dog from where he dwelled, late one night from the depths of hell.
Johnny was startled as I was calm,we offered him coyote,deer and heart of palm.
Evil eyed, and wrinkled folds, broken nails and breath untold.
That devil disappeared late that night, we heard pappys' scream, that gave us fright.
Devil dog came back with his prize, half a head, and dangling eyes.
Sure was Pappy, we sighed a relief, no more hitting or punching, no more we'll grieve.
This isn't by far the end of our tale, every Halloween,we fed him well.
As years passed, men we became, living in the hollows, tunnels and caves .
I will end this tall tale while little Chris sleeps, pondering by the fire, while eating some sheep...