What else can we do but love it

Granby, Colorado

Sprawled under the desk
I feel her breath on my toes
Blond tail curls under her rear legs.

wanders to the other side of the room
to watch me by the door,  

head perks to attention to the rumbling and roaring
of the sky opening up

glad for the rains
that soak the tinder beetle-killed lodgepole

delays fires that
will eventually come.

fires that will destroy the forest and trails where
we walk
every day

Lodgepole pine fill the view from this desk
accepting the red, brown landscape

What else can I do but love it

the storms pass and the tail
bang, bangs against the wall
eager eyes look at me from my knees
as we head out
raindrops on a metal roof
clang, clang