madison valley

the montana morning is still,
unshaken by the mining tragedy unfolding,
unchanged by the news on the wire
of the teenager killing his brother over dessert,
of the w.v. man trying to outrun the cops on a rider mower.

the birds pick at near-depleted feeders.
the pup nibbles my shins and pulls on my socks.
the sun melts freshly fallen snow on the mountains.
the chilled air is fresh, alive, alert.
today, here, life is pretty damn good.