From Writing Notebook 2021, published in 2022.
On the Circle
The guests run after liver peel and dementia coffee tarts
struggle to socialize with brains half-aspirated by ennui
chat in the coy-shy language everyone in our social set likes to use
you hear the silly sentences and gossipy truths and occasional sincere thought
that is quickly squashed and replaced before anyone notices
the happy patter crawling out through the expensively maintained pearly teeth –
the well-kept mouths of good-looking people open and shut open and shut:
What a fantastic cocktail party this is.
7/28/21
Claudia McGill Writes Poetry, Did You Know That? 
Excellently observed.
Thank you. I’ve never liked parties too much, I find large groups overwhelming, and the kind of party where you have to go around and chat, oh dear.
This is so real despite the fantastical descriptions!!
Thank you. In the past for work I often had to socialize. Ugh. That is all I can say.