Lascelles wrote "The Box" in 1970. The iconic poem was first performed by Lascelles on the Smothers Brothers Summer Show on ABC the same year. A few weeks later, John Denver appeared on the show and asked Lascelles if he could perform The Box, later recording it for his 1971 album "Poems, Prayers & Promises." Burl Ives attempted a deal to record the song; however, the deal fell through when Ives realized it was already released on the flip side of a 45 by Lascelles. "When All the Laughter Dies in Sorrow," the song from the other side of the 45, was later recorded by Chicago as part of its 1971 album Chicago III. Lascelles received over one million letters from fans after he first performed the poem in 1970. Lascelles gave a follow-up recitation of The Box on the Smothers Brothers in August 1971. Lascelles also released an anthology of poetry in 1973.
