Hollow

It is as old as the atomic dance that makes molecules,
this feeling: the hollowness that lies between two ribs,
pushes crocuses, forcibly, from frozen ground,
catches atoms in taught bonds.

Do we demonize it,
it us,
or just
that human tendency
to attribute significance and causation
rather than reconcile ourselves
to inexplicability?

We explain the sensation as a void,
call it longing
generated by the electrical impulses of tightly wrought muscle mass
though in truth
its origins are chemical,
concocted by the pharmacy upstairs,
that manufactures loneliness, hopelessness, a dopamine dawn
all your fears (dreams)
a drop at a time.

If it had a shape,
it would be like the hollow at the base of your throat,
a slight depression
like where eddies erode a waterfall, leaving pockmarks
the size and shape of human fists;
only violence can explain the constant beating.

Hol"low (?), a. [OE. holow, holgh, holf, AS. holh a hollow, hole. Cf. Hole.]

1.

Having an empty space or cavity, natural or artificial, within a solid substance; not solid; excavated in the interior; as, a hollow tree; a hollow sphere.

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it. Ex. xxvii. 8..

2.

Depressed; concave; gaunt; sunken.

With hollow eye and wrinkled brow. Shak.

3.

Reverberated from a cavity, or resembling such a sound; deep; muffled; as, a hollow roar.

Dryden.

4.

Not sincere or faithful; false; deceitful; not sound; as, a hollow heart; a hollow friend.

Milton.

Hollow newel Arch., an opening in the center of a winding staircase in place of a newel post, the stairs being supported by the wall; an open newel; also, the stringpiece or rail winding around the well of such a staircase. -- Hollow quoin Engin., a pier of stone or brick made behind the lock gates of a canal, and containing a hollow or recess to receive the ends of the gates. -- Hollow root. Bot. See Moschatel. -- Hollow square. See Square. -- Hollow ware, hollow vessels; -- a trade name for cast-iron kitchen utensils, earthenware, etc.

Syn.- Concave; sunken; low; vacant; empty; void; false; faithless; deceitful; treacherous.

© Webster 1913.

Hol"low (?), n.

1.

A cavity, natural or artificial; an unfilled space within anything; a hole, a cavern; an excavation; as the hollow of the hand or of a tree.

2.

A low spot surrounded by elevations; a depressed part of a surface; a concavity; a channel.

Forests grew Upon the barren hollows. Prior.

I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood. Tennyson.

© Webster 1913.

Hol"low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hollowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hollowing.]

To make hollow, as by digging, cutting, or engraving; to excavate.

Dryden.

© Webster 1913.

Hol"low, adv.

Wholly; completely; utterly; -- chiefly after the verb to beat, and often with all; as, this story beats the other all hollow. See All, adv.

The more civilized so-called Caucasian races have beaten the Turks hollow in the struggle for existence. Darwin.

© Webster 1913.

Hol*low" (?), interj. [See Hollo.]

Hollo.

© Webster 1913.

Hol"low (?), v. i.

To shout; to hollo.

Whisperings and hollowings are alike to a deaf ear. Fuller.

© Webster 1913.

Hol"low, v. t.

To urge or call by shouting.

He has hollowed the hounds. Sir W. Scott.

© Webster 1913.