Peppermint Man

Comics and coughing fits on the train
He didn't have teeth, but a mile wide grin
and asked politely about the pictures in my book
A tight smile in response and terse replies
Once there was room, like most Chicagoans do,
he moved to a free double-seater
Reading and coughing, moving along
A long, wet, rattling sound from the depths
A shaking cold, long held and long endured
He turned around and handed over a peppermint
For that cough in your chest, he says
and turned back around

Checking it over for mold and puncture holes
(Can't blame a soul for being careful)
Found nothing but white and red candied swirls
Got off at the next stop and waved goodbye to him
The cough got better as the day went on
It was a pretty good peppermint

Didn't expect to be on the train with Peppermint Man
A shy, polite, caped crusader with pockets of candy
Dispensing minty goodness to ward against the chill
You'd never suspect the classy, toothless guy on the train
of saving one Chicagoan at a time

Stranger things have happened here

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