Fish breath

I turn
Beethoven down
to better read Kate Camp's sound:

"Women are less
likely to be struck
by lightning...
we must be satisfied
with terrors less august."

Must?

On my arm
I adjust
to the cat pondering
her own charm -
with fish breath.



While Beethoven keeps
time's tender terror sleeps
and dusk daisies shut their eyes -
white stars in shaggy green skies,
and I wake

to life's lyrical loveliness,

struck by love's last laugh.