In the crowd at the station

In the crowd at the station,

A tall man turned and smiled at me.

Although I couldn't be quite sure,

I felt I'd seen his face before.

Two days later,I saw him again,

Getting off the Agra train.

He smiled once more, and this time 

I returned the compliment,

Before he was lost in the crowd.

And then I remembered.

Of course!

This was one of the dead men

We'd had for dissection.

I'd been Demonstrator then.

I remember saying:

"here's a fine-looking corpse."

And then we peeled his skin away,

And cut him up,a little every day.

Now I don't go near the Agra train.

I wonder:

Will he smile when i see him again?

-Ruskin Bond