From the collection published in 2021, And Don’t Come Back.
Not Sure
What it is is
it’s me it’s me just saying I am not sure
Not sure what you mean
what you mean now
now before the last words
the last words that crowded out
crowded out and then ate
the first ones you said
the first ones that were all I heard
but I am not sure
still not sure
not sure
11/2/20
Claudia McGill Writes Poetry, Did You Know That? 
I’ve had that reaction after reading some poems (not this one). 😀
I have this problem in so many circumstances. I sometimes think poetry is the hardest thing for me to read – (I tend to be very literal). So this poem expresses how I often feel in reading poetry, too (not to mention just how I feel in ordinary conversations, too…)
I don’t feel it too often in conversations–well, if it’s sports or jargon, I just tune out–but some poetry, definitely!
Well, I am there with you on the sports and jargon and the poetry, super yes. !!!
😀
I feel that way all the time, especially in verbal exchanges, and not only in what I’m hearing, but in what I’m saying…(k)
I used to feel that words were where I needed them and when I wanted to speak, they never failed me, but as I have gotten older, it seems I have become so much more inarticulate, with so many competing thoughts at one time they get tangled up.
Maybe life has gotten so complex, even our words can’t untangle it.
I’m wondering if my brain knows time is running out (so to speak, hopefully not in the immediate future, but I must face it, I’m inthe 4th quarter now all right) and wants to get it all out NOW, and is tripping over itself.
Too much accumulated perhaps. Time to clean some of it out.
I like the way the use of repetition and the shape of the poem echoes that feeling of uncertainty and tripping over communication as a result of not being resolute in what one is trying to express.
I used to be more articulate and my thinking more clear, now it seems I trip over my thoughts and words so much more. It also seems that so many more thoughts come at me at one time so maybe that is why. I wonder why this is happening. Why am I in such a hurry that multiple streams of thought must come along? I guess it’s getting older? Or maybe just me. Anyway, this poem says it for me all right!
The same thing happens to me and I too think it is just overwhelm with too many thoughts and ideas at once trying to funnel out of my mouth.