The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

Moonshine Madness

Way up in the mountains there’s a story that they tell.
About a man named Billy Jo and how one night he yelled.
He lived up in a little spot well-hidden in the hills.
A place where very few will go and many hide their stills.

They say he made a strong concoction by the moon at night.
To even taste his beverage you’d need a rare invite.
The recipe was passed along through many generations.
A secret kept by kinfolk and Billy’s close relations. 

Precise amounts of sugar were added to the yeast.
And then a few days afterward he’d have a night-long feast.
They said he knew just what to do to make it safe to drink.
A spoonful set on fire, and a blue flame meant in-sync.

He called it his white lightning, at times his mountain dew.
The colorless libation was his very special brew.
Always made clandestinely when no one was around.
He guarded the proportions of his most adored compound. 

Then one day they say that Billy made a real bad batch.
No one knows for sure but some will say the still got scratched.
The story is he took a sip and that he went insane.
They say the moonshine made him blind and went right to his brain.

All night they heard him screaming from his secret mountain place.
The people started searching, half the night, but found no trace. 
But when they found poor Billy they all said that he was dead.
Poisoned, his white lightning turned his body into lead.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Salama  Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Hi Rockman, You are right in that I am not a hillbilly, in fact, I was born and raised in NYC. However, I moved to the mountains of PA, where I live now. It may sound strange but I love the mountains which is what inspired this poem. It's funny that you mention about coal miners because I've been thinking about writing a poem about the very hard life of the coal miners. I'm glad this got you thinking ...Samia
Pritts Avatar
April 19, 2012 at 11:12 PM
This was very well done. Somehow I don't see you as a hillbilly, which is something deep in my roots. I come from back in the sticks. But I've risen above that. The world moves on. I have the relatives and I've heard the stories. I come from the coal miners and steel workers of PA. and married a country girl from GA.. How much more backwoods can you be? Thanks for sharing this poem and making me think. Rockman :-)
Dietrich Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Poor Billy!! What a tale, samia, I wonder what made you think of this. Looks like you know a lot about moonshine!!
Salama  Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
LOL, Yes! Poor Billy! I don't know what made me think of it but I have heard all these things about moonshine. :)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace