Words by Luigi Coppola Art by Mark Shuttleworth

The World’s Next Top Mascots

Mickey’s ears droop like
foreskin over his limp head,
hands loaded with toys.

Coco’s hat is stitched
onto scalp, wire threaded
through his tail and smile.
 
Tony’s whiskers twitch
as his teeth crack on a spoon
warm and black and bowed.
 
The Colonel wheelies,
grease runs down his chins, gravy
clogging arteries.
 
Cool-addled man bubbles
over while brain spikes, craving
a wet, empty rush.
 
Her fawn hooves flinch,
she bubblies at the mouth, a once dear
baby shammed into remission.
 
The Captain heaves in
soiled bed, inconsolable,
screaming through the night.