#mamyaw, #humour, #OldManJenkins, #narrative Follow @mamyaw on @mirakeeapp #mirakee #poems #poetry #writersnetwork #quotes #quote #writersofinstagram #stories #ttt #quoteoftheday #writersofig #writersofmirakee #wordporn #writing #writer #isheavenoffthetable The Ballad of Old Man Jenkins Old man Jenkins always believed in UFOs and grays. He also thought of spooks living in his house's crannies and nooks. Old man Jenkins was frugal, thrifty, miserly, but not cruel. He kept inventory of all he has from papers, to food, to gas. So imagine his distress one day when his tally came up nay. It did not compute; he was distraught. The perpetrator must be caught! He set up locks all over the house. He set up traps meant for more than a mouse. He never did like gadgets and technology. “I'd do without it,” said he. Still, he lost more food, more stuff. Old man Jenkins was taking this rough. Then something clicked inside his head, He must exorcise the house instead! He burnt candles (oh how they burned!) He concocted potions (oh how they churned!) But whatever he did, things still disappeared It was more than he could handle, or so he feared. Desperate and half-crazy, he started To burn up the house and the dearly departed. How he laughed, he has finally won Against those spooks and grays, all wanton. As he laughed he heard a shriek. So behind him he took a peek. His daughter was there, stunned and crying. She looked at him angrily and started shouting. “What did you do, you senile old man? You burned down the house, and laughed and ran!” “But the spooks were taking our bread,” Haughtily, Old man Jenkins said “The food was turning bad, senile father. I had to throw it out and replenish the larder.” Filled with shame, the old man hung his head And looked at his daughter only with dread. ©mamyaw