Why did the mountain lion …?
By Illene Pevec
Carbondale
Why did the Mountain Lion climb up on our roof ?
Did it want a better view of Sopris from up high?
Or was it seeking solace?
Solace from what?
Our presence in its territory?
Or was it just curious about us?
Did it want to listen to us breathing below in our beds
or talking in our kitchen?
Was it stalking a raccoon or some other night creature?
Did it climb up the blue spruce and use the shelter of its branches?
Or did it shimmy up the aspen that offered no branch interference?
Why did the Mountain Lion poop on our roof?
Was this its first visit or is it a frequent night visitor?
Did it want to say, “I’m king here. Don’t forget that.”
It left a big message.
And now at night as I lie in bed,
my window open and only a screen
between me and outside,
I listen very carefully
for any new message it might bring.