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Mark Danowsky

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By
Silent Howl

Night thoughts bleed
down my scalp
in all directions

Frozen seated in bed
eyes half open

The day's small sadnesses a blur—
the dagger reversed

Full moon on a lost holiday
I know this is just one version of me



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I scan the headlines, not reading, not really
One finger touches a few boxes as a gesture of approval
Two fingers enlarge a Top 20 photo, I pause to spread the news
It's too hard to just listen to the radio, almost unscripted
I check the weather, standing in the yard while the dog wanders
Cooking, I picture the stack of books by my keyboard
A mental list of neglected songs begins to form
I put the book down to say I picked it up


Mark Danowsky is Editor-in-Chief of ONE ART: a journal of poetry and Senior Editor for Schuylkill Valley Journal. He is author of the poetry collection As Falls Trees (NightBallet Press). His work has appeared in Bird Watcher’s Digest, Cleaver Magazine, Gargoyle, The Healing Muse, and elsewhere.

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