"Boxes," by Sampurna Chattarji, tells the story of life in a tiny Mumbai apartment. The poem depicts a woman trying to cook dinner in a small space where she can hardly turn around and where she feels hemmed in by the noises and smells of the sprawling city outside her barred window. Big cities, this poem warns, become inhumane when they stop being built for their citizens: it's increasingly difficult to live a good life in a place where you can't find space or peace. This poem first appeared in Chattarji's 2007 collection Sight May Strike You Blind.
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Her balcony bears ...
... in a jar.
On one side ...
... threatening to fall.
Sleeping room only, ...
... on a dump.
Every day the ...
... out the light.
Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.
Chattarji's Life and Work — Read a short biography of Chattarji to learn more about her life and poetry.
Chattarji on Poetry — Watch a short video in which Chattarji discusses writing poetry for children.
An Interview with Chattarji — Read an interview with Chattarji in which she discusses the influence of her multilingualism on her work.
Sight May Strike You Blind — Learn more about the collection this poem comes from on Chattarji's personal website.