The Cello

Once hear the cello sing
and you have heard the voice of yellow summer noons
singing in languorous, honeyed monotones
of heavy, pollen-scented bees
among the hot lime-trees.

Once hear the cello sing
and you have known the warm red sweetness of ripe wheat
sleepily swaying with the noonday heat,
bending its drowsy face to seek
the poppy's burning cheek.

Once hear the cello sing
and you have heard the vibrant, throbbing huskiness
of lover's voices, deep with happiness,
mixed with the sound of rustling leaves
on golden summer's eves.