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Disposable Darlings
Todd Cirillo was born of bastard lineage. He has many books and misdemeanors. His books include; Sucker’s Paradise, Burning the Evidence, ROXY, Three For the Road, Kisses From A Straight Razor. He is co-founder and editor of Six Ft. Swells Press, and his poems have appeared in numerous national and international literary journals, magazines and on cocktail napkins everywhere. Articles with his particular take on existence have been featured in various national magazines. Todd lives in New Orleans, Louisiana where he seeks out shiny moments and strange wisdom.
Cover Photograph: Carrie DeMay
Cover Graphic Design: Julie Valin
“Todd Cirillo’s new poetry collection DISPOSABLE DARLINGS is a celebration for those beautiful moments of living with no strings attached. Like a true pirate poet, Cirillo’s poems pillage the senses with good music, stiff drinks, and even a little romance. Cirillo’s strengths are on full display in this collection. Sit back with your favorite drink and enjoy. Welcome to the party.”— Jake St. John, author of Lost City Highway
“What I love about Todd’s poetry is its ability to make me laugh out loud, feel loved or heartbroken or like I’ve pre-gamed for a party I wasn’t invited to but craved to be a part of. Reading DISPOSABLE DARLINGS creates a sensation that these poems happened to me. Todd is abundantly clever in his wordplay and metaphors, without being over the top. This is a book I read over and over again—while at a bar, traveling, in the park, stuck in traffic. Take a moment to read “Useful Poetry,” because I strongly suggest you make good use of this book in typical and potentially suggestive ways, because I have, and I love every minute of it.”— Linzi Garcia, author of Thank You
“Todd Cirillo’s work is like that old friend who is always there at the bar to share a drink and some good laughs, and also make you think. It’s work that to a certain degree always makes you feel good knowing it aims to entertain without preaching or having a hidden agenda. It’s a good jukebox with excellent tunes and where an ice cold beer is waiting before you even take your seat. Todd doesn’t speak at you as most so-called modern poets do in that pretentious sense he speaks to you as friend and connects as great writers should. His pages are his truth and he provides a much needed escape in times when that is needed more so than ever. Take the ride. I promise it will always be worth the price of admission.”— John Patrick Robbins, Editor In Chief of the Rye Whiskey Review
"Todd Cirillo is genuine New Orleans cool, often beer drunk, sometimes lost, in love with the night, with women long gone, with those who linger in the flesh and the golden palace of dreams. It’s all on display in Disposable Darlings, a deep dive into the heart of a man who knows the dark blessings of the street and writes like an angel. What luck you have, holding this book in your hands. Don’t put it down until you’ve read every word. I devoured it in one sitting."—Jeff Weddle, author of Driving the Lost Highway, Bohemian New Orleans: The Story of the Outsider and Loujon Press
"The poems in Disposable Darlings are about inflated and deflated romantic expectations, about happy hours, closing times, and the thoroughly contemplated quaffing of adult beverages. Bartender, I’ll have another Todd Cirillo cocktail: A hefty shot of wry, sweet and sour mix, some bitters, and twists, chilled, shaken up, strained, served with a strong sense of place, and savored." —Doug MacCash, journalist/author
"Disposable Darlings by Todd Cirillo is a must read book for anyone who appreciates great writing or who aspires to produce great writing. Not only do these poems speak to the economy of language, where writing is stripped to the bare minimum, they’re perfect representations of how much meat should be left on the bone."—Wolfgang Carstens, author of Prince Charming, editor Epic Rites Press
"Like a name written in cement before it is solid and whole, so too love (and lust)—in real life, and in these poems: full of grit and flower petals, sour and sweet, like all true things. This is a book to be savored. With beer or wine. Or something stronger."—Kevin Rabas, Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019), More Than Words
"Todd Cirillo writes a democratic verse that champions ordinary folks seeking transcendence, often in bars. But there’s little of the alcoholic’s self-pity or fatalism in these poems. Writing in the lineage of the Beats, Cirillo is like Bukowski without the bitterness, capable at his best of surprising turns that are self-effacing, profound, and make you laugh out loud all at once. His people revel in getting away with it, in the sweet mystery of a night on the town, trying to navigate the chaotic fuckedupness of the world until they come looking for redemption at the same bar Sunday morning. Romanticism didn’t die. It’s alive and well in a bar on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans where a saxophone drowns out Kanye ...
Cover Photograph: Carrie DeMay
Cover Graphic Design: Julie Valin
“Todd Cirillo’s new poetry collection DISPOSABLE DARLINGS is a celebration for those beautiful moments of living with no strings attached. Like a true pirate poet, Cirillo’s poems pillage the senses with good music, stiff drinks, and even a little romance. Cirillo’s strengths are on full display in this collection. Sit back with your favorite drink and enjoy. Welcome to the party.”— Jake St. John, author of Lost City Highway
“What I love about Todd’s poetry is its ability to make me laugh out loud, feel loved or heartbroken or like I’ve pre-gamed for a party I wasn’t invited to but craved to be a part of. Reading DISPOSABLE DARLINGS creates a sensation that these poems happened to me. Todd is abundantly clever in his wordplay and metaphors, without being over the top. This is a book I read over and over again—while at a bar, traveling, in the park, stuck in traffic. Take a moment to read “Useful Poetry,” because I strongly suggest you make good use of this book in typical and potentially suggestive ways, because I have, and I love every minute of it.”— Linzi Garcia, author of Thank You
“Todd Cirillo’s work is like that old friend who is always there at the bar to share a drink and some good laughs, and also make you think. It’s work that to a certain degree always makes you feel good knowing it aims to entertain without preaching or having a hidden agenda. It’s a good jukebox with excellent tunes and where an ice cold beer is waiting before you even take your seat. Todd doesn’t speak at you as most so-called modern poets do in that pretentious sense he speaks to you as friend and connects as great writers should. His pages are his truth and he provides a much needed escape in times when that is needed more so than ever. Take the ride. I promise it will always be worth the price of admission.”— John Patrick Robbins, Editor In Chief of the Rye Whiskey Review
"Todd Cirillo is genuine New Orleans cool, often beer drunk, sometimes lost, in love with the night, with women long gone, with those who linger in the flesh and the golden palace of dreams. It’s all on display in Disposable Darlings, a deep dive into the heart of a man who knows the dark blessings of the street and writes like an angel. What luck you have, holding this book in your hands. Don’t put it down until you’ve read every word. I devoured it in one sitting."—Jeff Weddle, author of Driving the Lost Highway, Bohemian New Orleans: The Story of the Outsider and Loujon Press
"The poems in Disposable Darlings are about inflated and deflated romantic expectations, about happy hours, closing times, and the thoroughly contemplated quaffing of adult beverages. Bartender, I’ll have another Todd Cirillo cocktail: A hefty shot of wry, sweet and sour mix, some bitters, and twists, chilled, shaken up, strained, served with a strong sense of place, and savored." —Doug MacCash, journalist/author
"Disposable Darlings by Todd Cirillo is a must read book for anyone who appreciates great writing or who aspires to produce great writing. Not only do these poems speak to the economy of language, where writing is stripped to the bare minimum, they’re perfect representations of how much meat should be left on the bone."—Wolfgang Carstens, author of Prince Charming, editor Epic Rites Press
"Like a name written in cement before it is solid and whole, so too love (and lust)—in real life, and in these poems: full of grit and flower petals, sour and sweet, like all true things. This is a book to be savored. With beer or wine. Or something stronger."—Kevin Rabas, Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019), More Than Words
"Todd Cirillo writes a democratic verse that champions ordinary folks seeking transcendence, often in bars. But there’s little of the alcoholic’s self-pity or fatalism in these poems. Writing in the lineage of the Beats, Cirillo is like Bukowski without the bitterness, capable at his best of surprising turns that are self-effacing, profound, and make you laugh out loud all at once. His people revel in getting away with it, in the sweet mystery of a night on the town, trying to navigate the chaotic fuckedupness of the world until they come looking for redemption at the same bar Sunday morning. Romanticism didn’t die. It’s alive and well in a bar on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans where a saxophone drowns out Kanye ...
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Published March 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 16, 2024
Todd's poems are as carefree and careful as a dawn walk home down Lower Decatur, the work of a literate wandering spirit drawn into the flame of New Orleans. Any life worth living has passed through the doors these poems open, and he has captured each tableau in a casual voice bright as neon and sharp as a bar door sunrise. He reminds me of New Orleans 's beloved Everette Maddox, particularly the way many of the poems volta into bloom with a sad and wise wit at the end.
January 10, 2026
Todd Cirillo is no Everette Maddox, but that's alright. He's Todd Cirillo, and that's good enough for the girls I go with.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews