not

Not in the dark

Not rippling past in the wind

Not cricketed along in the shadowed grass

Not creaked from wind-wavered branches

Not patiently unfolding in slapping waves

Not warmed into flight by lantern

Not swept into broad particulate currents by campfire

Not seasoned alongside drying grasses

Nor cured amidst leaves yellowed in sleep.

There but not.

Here but not.

Friend but not.

Hearth but not.

Touched but not.

Writing not.

Seeing not.

not present

not filling

All spiraling below the event horizon of not

giving off naught.

Naught but not.