seems to know someone 

smiling at the hostess 

not moving from the punch 

cornering cupcakes 

 

nodding in approval 

snorting news relayed

hoovering removal 

fish, ham, and cake 

 

stranger at the party’s 

swallowing your body 

aiming righteous anger 

between various legs 

 

everything obsessing him 

coughing on your napkin 

avoiding certain traps 

only until half-past ten 

 

she’s coming here late 

caught in the rain 

straight to the kitchen 

making herself a plate

 

with thrice-gifted wine 

making up lost time 

she says to pass the joint 

before her thumb’s flambéed 

 

hostess brings coats 

before half-past four 

reminded by stains on the floor 

why she doesn’t do this any more