Ella

How I wish that I could call you “Ella,”

know you on the first-name basis,

so I could sit and listen to your mellow,

peaceful voice in crowded places,

clouded by cigar smoke and blue light,

sip my drink and swaying to the rhythm

of the bass guitar and drums, each night,

feel your soul dispersing into ripples.

Yesterday, I heard one of your albums

for the first time ever, as you cast

spells on me through ageless, timeless ballads.

Yesterday, I fell in love with Jazz.