I called him the tin box man. <br /> <br />His smile was sweeter than all his cakes and pastries. <br /> <br />A man left poor after a hard day’s work <br />Never saw on his face smiles unmarked <br /> <br />Tin box man may I have one <br />But I have no money <br /> <br />They’re all for you honey <br /> <br />Then in the box would dip his hand <br />On my palm a cake would land <br /> <br />But I have no money tin box man <br /> <br />Pay it back when you can <br /> <br />Then he would deliver his trademark speech <br /> <br />When you grow up and become rich <br />I would come with an empty can <br />Fill that up for the tin box man. <br /> <br />Never saw one passing cloud on his face <br />Ill clothed unshaved never bereft of grace <br />In his box holding what deep mysteries <br />Spreading the sweetness of cakes pastries! <br /> <br />He is long gone but lingers his trace <br />When I encounter depression’s face <br />He stands beside me my smiles unlocks <br />Locks away all sadness in his tin box!<br /><br />Pradip Chattopadhyay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tin-box-man/
