(Loosely inspired by the opening and closing cello passage to Andante of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto)

Vieux vielle vielle;
Back, breast, rib, and spine
Of classic pine and staving;
Broad boards of shoulder rounded,
Neck arched like a shepherd’s crook,
Or a gaffer’s hook,
Stooped with mild pangs
And with steep pains
That only oils and kneading
Can assuage.

Fingers across the string board
Where bow strings double-stop.

Plucking through paunchy innards,
Our armchair cellist,
Pausing for rhythmic accents;

Then sull tastiera,
Or sull ponticello:

From varnished, harnessed,
Honest chambers,

Now threading
Through transient hour
Both his and our
Wizened bones with song.