Her husband rocked back and forth in his chair.
He nodded, smiled, and combed back his hair.
She worked merrily in her domestic activities;
She knew not his crimes, nor his violent proclivities.
They spoke not a word—their two children nearby,
Running and hiding—not yet knowing “goodbye.”
She straightened her apron; he lit his cigar.
Husband and wife, admiring from afar.
Laughing in frolic, Jesse and Mary remained at play.
Thomas stood from his chair and looked with dismay:
A “friend” had arrived—cowardly and young;
However coy...he spoke with a lying tongue.
When the time was right, the deed was done:
The a**a**in shot Thomas with a nickel-plated gun.