sunken
     ground
dismembered fall leaves

across the wayfield

sinking
not drowned

moving
never past.

squish me.

when most
without hope
you lose
your noose
no expecting
of what might
what won't

no hand
to strangle
no string
to hold
no wish
to cry over
no answer
to wait on.

no substance
you know
i understand

no substance
in the words
i write, i know

no substance
i know
is important now

no substance
can make you
can make me free

no substance
in this world
worth its weight

no substance
worth its weight
in air anymore.