Tin Box Man Poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

I called him the tin box man.

His smile was sweeter than all his cakes and pastries.

A man left poor after a hard day’s work
Never saw on his face smiles unmarked

Tin box man may I have one
But I have no money

They’re all for you honey

Then in the box would dip his hand
On my palm a cake would land

But I have no money tin box man

Pay it back when you can

Then he would deliver his trademark speech

When you grow up and become rich
I would come with an empty can
Fill that up for the tin box man.

Never saw one passing cloud on his face
Ill clothed unshaved never bereft of grace
In his box holding what deep mysteries
Spreading the sweetness of cakes pastries!

He is long gone but lingers his trace
When I encounter depression’s face
He stands beside me my smiles unlocks
Locks away all sadness in his tin box!