A Poem by Bill Jansen

homeless mascot

one city's junk light
is another city's night game

the soot of cheers
on a feathered, blunted man

who was the mascot of a team
until he was let go

because a mood went viral
they wanted a younger owl

his eyes sparkle in the dark
mice nibble cardboard stars

held fast in his falling apart
size 9 Adidas claws.



Bill Jansen lives in Forest Grove, Oregon.  His work has appeared in various ezines, including Triggerfish Review.