Human Cello

Poem inspired by Nam June Paik and Cellos

Human Cello

Curbed and carved is your Neck
Cello to be plucked and hit
Gritty Grab around the Back 
Golden Pegs and giddy Top
Dirty F-Holes and dusted Fingerboard
Don’t dabble on the fourth String
Dilute —detach from the Floor
Always my Plaything
Aware and awake
Adherent only to me — my Cello, my Everything

Cover art: Human Cello' — Charlotte Moorman and Nam June Paik performing John Cage's '26'1.1499 for a String Player', New York, 1965.

*The poem was inspired by this photo and cellos