Working at the Owl Factory

I thought I would fit in

at the Owl Factory

assembling the multi-colored

felt owls

matching their personalities

to beady sets of eyes

even the creepy guy

next to me

wasn't much of a bother

at first...

his smirking critiques

fell off my sallow skin

as if it were waterproof

“Owls aren't that great, you know

birds of prey

kill small animals

pink flamingos, now that's where

you want to be

oh look, your eye

is just hanging there....”

He couldn't shut up

I was hoping they would move him

to crows

but I knew

he wasn't smart enough

for black birds.

I wanted to stay at my post

knee deep in multi-colored

owl parts

“Really?” Creep said.

“There's no retirement

or health insurance

in bird décor

so truly

the best hope

of moving past places

of sirens and city grumble

is to grab hold

of the pink flamingos

and maybe

headquarters will consider you

for marketing.”