Cello Suite

I used to say, when I'm retired
     I'd like to learn to play

the cello—an instrument
     whose sound I've heard 

described as closest to
     the human voice. The score

that it will read is nearly
     complete: low volleys

in the distance signifying wars,
     shards ranged across the lines

like all the close calls and near
     misses. Most of all I dream

of learning to pull the bow in one
     continuous motion across 

that estuary of longing as the roots
    of mangroves fill with twilight.