The Unsure Man Poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

It was tough job going home from the evening shift
he would keep coming back before taking the lift
stand gazing intently at the office noticeboard
umpteenth time reading the roster word by word!

Not sure he had seen it right would find someone out
tell him please see my morrow's shift to dispel his own doubt
I want to be doubly sure haven't missed out something, mate,
please do me this favor I'll give you one cigarette.

Knowing him well that man would say for you can find it out
but one fag is not enough to clear all your doubt
will tell you the morrow's shift surely dear mate
only if at the canteen give me the treat of one omelette.

After the deal was fully done would end this funny affair
convinced of next day's schedule he would come downstairs
the night already was quietly deep with not a soul on the road
it had taken him quite some time to decipher the noticeboard!

When came the tram splitting the night below a crescent moon
he would raise his hand but strangely wouldn't board it soon
till someone would drag him in much against his will
knowing he would be stranded if he missed the last vehicle.

The dogs' bark welcomed him home as he reached its door
the neighborhood was in slumber known by buzzing snore
but then told him his riddled mind he certainly couldn't tell
if at all this was his home and he should ring the bell!

As he stood quite confused with the minutes growing more
light footsteps were heard inside a woman opened the door
he asked her if a man of his name was residing in that house
it's no time for such madness would pull him in his spouse!