Two poems by Mark Danowsky

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