Alexander Clarke

Mouse and Owl

“Well, why didn’t you do it then?” tentatively asked the weary barn owl. It had been a long night, talking with Gilbert the mouse always turned wistful over Whiskey and smokes. Will was more of a walk it off and smash another line kind of owl. Talking problems through and crying about it didn’t make sense to him, like those dippy incestual pheasants down in Somerset. That’s how owls were raised in these parts of the woods. Regurgitate some vermin, shit some pellets, fuck some slutty barn owl down in Thetford. Life continues. Four in ten male owls not in education or employment commit suicide before the age of twelve. Short wingspans, short life plans. Growing up in the Woodland Projects was tough.