OH HARK 22

"So wither'd and so wild in their attire that look not like the inhabitants of the earth.
 so wrinkled  and ancient , pray, when did you take birth?"
Questioned the dishevelled  one who was at the door
 The girl looked on wondering what for her  now   was in store. 

The women stared while  he munched on a cob of corn
and started singing while he  guffawed with boisterous scorn .
"Good is bad and bad is good, so no need to brood
 Have your food, and don't you dare ask questions rude."

"Did your mother not tell you never ask a woman's age?"
One of the women shouted in absolute  rage.
" What if we tell you we have just turned sixteen?"
Retorted another, who was lean and also looked mean. 

With the drummer in their midst looking absolutely abashed
they flailed their arms  , and their teeth gnashed
 Shook their uncombed tresses and called it dance.
At the stranger , throwing glance after disgusted glance.

Outside the room, the  trees rustled and the wind howled.
 And the  white, withered women whined and growled.
Moving his tongue over the cob, the delicacy he savoured
while in one voice  the women spat an oath full flavoured.

 Suddenly his eyes fell on the girl near the mantelpiece
"Be silent, hearken unto me, ah for a little peace".
 said he  and with a quick throb of joy towards the girl he rushed
And with a huge hug her he almost crushed.

"You do not know me but I am your father's friend
A poet by profession, here on an errand.
He waits for you some miles away from here
Lost and distraught, how he misses his daughter dear.

Ah, do not look so petrified and grim 
come , wear this coat, I will take you to him."
Wondered the girl on what new journey was she about to embark
Suddenly the withered women rushed towards them, oh hark.