He was an empty man,
so he tried to fill his life
with trinkets
and things
and people
who did his bidding.
He grasped at money
and straws
and put them in the emptiness
of his vessel.
Everything he saw
that gleamed
or shined
or smelled or tasted nice,
he shoved inside
his body
with abandon.
After a while,
everything left him,
emptier than before,
and he despaired
of ever filling the void.
Then, old age
slowed his urges,
and