Notwithstanding

There is a hole in that stump thereabouts.

It does not mean a thing, but I would like to put something in.

Notwithstanding, what a word,

wood has dried out,
so no fear
there is no spirit at all.

Would it count as my haunt, if I go testing my smell sense?

Notwithstanding, what a word,

Almost certainly I won't.