The Nothing Box Is Or Is Not

how heroes leave

and mothers grieve

you weren't expecting this

sorry's made and promises fade and "see you's" say "I miss"

pennies for thoughts

are cashed in lots where futures can't be bought

free are the hands where nothing holds or binds us to a task

nothing told or plans unfold

a man behind the mask

no vain attempts to flatter

for words it cannot spare

the riddles used in poet's muse are neither 'hear' nor there

it will not wait or carry on or fan the flames to where

as if on cue no crueler ruse you'll find it doesn't care

we count the loss in spades

the deck of cards it blows

the blur of blackened symbols

a feast among the crows

what's the use the nothing box reminding of no-mores

a loved one's face has been

replaced and what forever for

or perhaps the maybe makes us

better than we might

otherwise the nothing wins

and this the long goodnight

the box cannot refill itself

and then a quest explained

to find the possibility however

fought the gain to make a life worth living and the nothing

not remain

we find among the measure

a treasure where it's made

where kings and queens of hearts can trump an ace of spades

for one the key that wakes us

the not of nothing be

or one the sleep that breaks us

the eyes that will not see

the nothing into something

in which the box fulfills

the life that lives in giving back

the nothing for the will