Music of a Deaf Cat…

Laura king/2009

Her quicksilver concerts demand
sudden attention,
white paws scaling ivory-ebony keys,
fill our resting air with dissonance,
she totally unaware. Startled awake I
scan the room, resent this pre-dawn
game of hide-and-seek
with a composing cat, who shatters sleep.
Her predeliction towards Beethoven
imitations boldy counters night, yet
she hears none of it; only knows that, like
every other night,
I will find her, spy her single fang
Shining in a sliver of moon.
My scolding words the encore,
Her purr the applause.