Taken Out
I was raised by those
raised by a generation
to spend a long time
“getting ready”
so someone can stand
at the foot of the stairs
behold you
say, You look great
let’s get going
we’re running late
Extended Hours
You’re asleep a while already
I’m tidying up, winding down
I overhear the downstairs neighbors
Laughing & laughing
Just like so many nights before
I wonder what it is they find
To laugh about so much
So long into the night
After we have put away
Last joys of the evening
Mark Danowsky is Editor-in-Chief of ONE ART: a journal of poetry, Poetry Craft Essays Editor for Cleaver Magazine, and a Regular Contributor for Versification. He is author of the poetry collection As Falls Trees (NightBallet Press) and JAWN forthcoming from Moonstone Press.