Love Letters and Pocket Knives

by J.J. Celli

Overview

Embark on a raw and intimate journey through love, resilience, and self-discovery with J.J. Celli's debut poetry collection, delving into the delicate balance between tenderness and toughness, told from a queer perspective.

In Love Letters and Pocket Knives, J.J. Celli opens the window to her soul, inviting us to take a close and intimate look at the raw and unfiltered moments. Through evocative imagery and heartfelt storytelling, these poems explore the myriad shades of love from the euphoria of new beginnings to the bittersweet ache of farewell.

In this autobiographical collection, each poem reads like a mini-memoir, weaving together the threads of trauma, intimacy, love, and resiliency. These poems stand strong with brave vulnerability confidently confronting those experiences in life that haunt us so we can quit ghosting ourselves.

As the title suggests, Love Letters and Pocket Knives explores the delicate dance between tenderness and toughness. From the gentle caress of a love letter to the sharp cut of a pocket knife, we are reminded it is this beautiful complexity and balance that continues to encourage these human hearts to love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771684019
Publisher:	Central Avenue Publishing
Publication date:	05/13/2025
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

J.J. Celli is a queer writer from the Chicago area, where she is active in the spoken word poetry scene. Celli spent over two decades fighting crime and working as a major crimes/homicide detective, later retiring as a Sergeant. As a survivor of intimate partner gun violence, she is passionate and dedicated to educating others on domestic violence in same-sex relationships, while also advocating for the LGBTQ community.

Read an Excerpt

Dear Reader,
 
Knives have always fascinated me—the sharp edge, the quiet promise of protection. I carry one always, a constant companion. In staying true to this part of myself, I’ve chosen four of my favorite blades, each representing a distinct phase of this poetic journey. As you travel with me through Love Letters & Pocket Knives, you’ll find the path is neither gentle nor smooth. We will move through many loves and lovers, each moment and memory cutting its own, distinct shape into who I am.
 
 Part 1-Brass Knuckle Knife. Where this begins. It’s fierce, passionate, sometimes violent—just like the first rush of love, where power meets vulnerability. A brass knuckle knife feels like armor but is dangerous when used carelessly. In the thrill of connection, we can be reckless, even destructive. A blade, like a bruise, leaves an imprint of intensity, a moment of impact that lingers beneath the surface, unseen but present, as we slowly heal.
 
 Part II-Switchblade Knife. These poems capture moments that cut pretty deep. Its thin blade is precise, intense, and mysterious, often hidden until it’s too late.  You’ll find betrayal, seduction, and to its balance adoration and intimacy. The switchblade represents the sharpness of words, the silent breaks, and the delicate edge that divides love from letting go.  
 
 Part III- Swiss Army Knife. This blade is versatile, much like the stages of healing and growth. It holds within it a complexity of emotions, a readiness to navigate life and love's challenges. The Swiss Army knife symbolizes the adaptability we cultivate as we move forward, equipped with the tools we need to navigate our ever-evolving journey.
 
Part IV-Finally, the Butterfly Knife. Unlike the others, it flows with grace and fluidity—a symbol of transformation. This blade reflects both skill and poise. In practiced hands, it moves elegantly, embodying mastery. The butterfly knife is metamorphosis, the shedding of the past, and the emergence of something stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful for the journey(s) we've survived.
 
Yours, JJ
 

Editorial Reviews

"J.J. Celli's debut poetry collection takes one on a hard-hitting, razor's edge, yet cathartic journey down sensual backroads and city streets dimly lit by "suede, rawhide moons" all ending in the wisdom and peace achieved through struggle, endurance, and the courage to be oneself. This is truly a memorable, unapologetic, and poignant collection of poetry, allowing us a glimpse, as only an artist can, into the complexities and truths of the human condition." — Loren Broaddus, author of Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light

"The poems in Love Letters & Pocket Knives unfold into a collective portrait of unsparingly intimate interior landscapes, by turns confessional and tough, brutal and tender, rigorous and redemptive. Celli offers rugged, poignant breadcrumbs reminding us there is "still something left to save," even if-and perhaps most especially when—it is ourselves." — Maya Stein, Poet Laureate of Belfast, Maine

From the Publisher