The dissertation makes a connection that the empty basket = failed pregnancy, which was something I was thinking of reading 懷人. 懷 means "bosom, heart, mind, to think of," but the main association I have with it is in the meaning of "to conceive (a child)."

I was also surprised at the unusual line lengths in the poem, so it was interesting to read the dissertation's speculation that it might be purposefully referencing an even older ritual language.