X

by Dan Chelotti

In x , Dan Chelotti conjures voices that wander, pause, analyze, articulate, attempt to enlighten, fail to enlighten, and then answer that failure with laughter. The wildly inventive imagery in these cinematic pieces lodges them somewhere between the surreal and the pure symbol, colorful and smooth like the lyrics of John Ashbery or Linda Pastan. In Chelotti’s poems, diamonds talk and sheriffs balance frogs on the tips of pens.

The rain says, Listen to Debussy,
go ahead, Debussy will fix you.
—From “Migraine Cure”

The secret to including everything
is to intricately divide your mind
and then, all of a sudden,
undivide it.
—From “Still Life on a Scrolling Background”

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2013

Reviews

[Barrett King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen a lot of Dan Chelotti before I picked up x. I had seen Dan Chelotti's haikus on McSweeney's and even read an interview on McSweeney's about x. I was intrigued by his response about the title:

"x was actually a mistake. An x is what a teacher puts on your quiz when you answer incorrectly. But it is also a variable. I sent my manuscript to a friend and it didn’t have a title, so I put an x. He sent it to you guys, and you read it as x, and you got in touch with me wanting to publish x. But x is not the title, I cried! It’s a variable! But you loved it. And I thought about it, and I started to love it, too. x marks the spot. x is the lover you don’t love anymore (or maybe you do). x tells me this is poison. x is a kiss. x is everywhere. I once read that the little bit of distortion in Radiohead’s “Creep” was a studio error. But that little bit of distorted guitar before the chorus turns a good song into a great one. I wanted to embrace the world with these poems, and what better way than to embrace a fortunate and fated misunderstanding?"

I had mostly forgotten about Chelotti's x until Andrew Sullivan posted his poem "Friendship". At that point, I knew I had to get my hands on this book somehow. Just a few days ago, I did, and it was better than I expected. I readily admit that I have to go back and read these poems again to fully understand their meanings. But the great thing is that I'm fully willing to. Chelotti has an exquisite way with words and comes up with a number of interesting concepts for poems.

I fully endorse this collection and am looking forward to going through it again and again.

[Erica Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled up these lively poems. McSweeney's has a great series going.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poem structure is not incredibly complicated, which provides ready access to the scenes in the poems, but still provides ample space for ideas and a good amount of humor. For me, this was a page-turner. Accessibility may not always be a good thing for a book of poetry, but in this case, it worked for me.

Here is one of the many poems I enjoyed.

MAGIC

The mechanic says
I have a great ear
for cars, but no ear
for music. I don't ask
how he knows
or say the grease
smudges on his hands
look fake. I walk
away like one who
has three hours to kill
in a strange town
walks away. There
is a cemetery in which
I try to ignore
a headache. A phone booth
with a phonebook
but no phone. A corner
store that has only
rumors of ibuprofen.
These things happen
and I always think
the universe will show
me another path.
Why do I expect magic
only when things break down?
I would love a bath--
a bath and a hamburger.

[Swan Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read poetry very often because I try to read it like literary fiction or detective novel; expecting to find links between them since the author or editor connected them in a linear manner of book structure. Once I allow my head to get out of this order of reading I really enjoy poetry and find myself allowing to open the book and read and absorb the imagery created or the emotional response then flip through to find another; instead of marching through them as they are laid out in front of me.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of my favorite poems:

"A Perfectly Good Ottoman"
"November"
"Dead Guy Pants"
"The Giantess Is Coming"

Maybe you can tell from those titles, there's a good bit of humor in these poems. There are also very simple, honest admissions, like "I don't really want / the things I want," which feel earned. The poems are all similar in form and voice, but the voice is so likable, it propelled me through the book. Read this if you want to make a new friend.

[Conor Heilferty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the images and the references that Dan Chelotti engages with in some of his poems. From playing off of William Carlos Williams' "To Elsie" to a poem called "Walt Whitman's Sweater", he turns some beautiful phrases and images. One of my favorites being the homage to Williams in the last line, "O merciful God, I do not want to drive the car".

[Matthew Yeldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous collection; funny, thought-provoking, skilful, angry, and full of love. This one’s a keeper to read over and over.

Favourite Line: “And if the flowers on my desk / aren’t watered they will continue / posing questions…”

Favourite Poems: People Poem, The Life of the Party, Hell

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished this I had a very simple thought and it was, "Oh! I loved this book."

[Anna Kostecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. I truly enjoying reading all of these poems. The last two were especially moving for me. I left notes for myself and will definitely be coming back to reread soon.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man o man...it's a beauty.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry by carriage return.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL.

"I used to hate most
everyone but now
I want to slow dance
with everyone."

from Slow Dance (76)

[David A Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

smile inducing. Sparse and well organized with enough minutia and honesty to shine through the lies all humans tell.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I do not want to witness
and adjust. O merciful God,
I do not want to drive the car."

"The days turn like weak sonnets"

[Stacey Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chelotti's verse is funny and charming. It takes the simplest of every day life and articulates it in a beautiful and reflective way.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, enjoyable poems. I place great trust in McSweeney's poetry selections.