Some Like It Hot

Not to be born surpasses thought and speech.

The second best is to have seen the light

And then to go back quickly whence we came.

—Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, trans. Robert Fitzgerald

Though having seen so many days go by,

A girl may sometimes still enjoy the world.

I fear I find no wisdom in that, mog [cat],

Though it might serve to fool a dog.

Not to be born is better off the bat—

So Sophocles and the Buddha thought.

A sufficiency of kibbles bought,

The foolish fears of kittenhood passé,

Best is to dream your life away,

Lying on the doorstep, love that heat!

You may not think so, but it's neat.

Ah, my dear human, hard to beat!

Struck by the sagacity of my cat Muggs

I, too, resolved to dream my life away,

Though concrete doorsteps lack appeal,

And air-conditioning’s the better way:

One's human status should dictate one's berth,

Or what’s the point of raping Mother Earth!

We have no authorship in dreams.

We choose the bed on which we lie,

What happens isn't quite what it seems.

Stuff you remember might be read,

Infinity propping up a well-stuffed pillow,

Quarks parading in your head.

Sunday, July 5, 2026