#11 in an ongoing series of posts celebrating the alphabet.
Writing X’s for kisses dates back to the Middle Ages, when much of the population was illiterate. A person made an “X” for his name, then kissed it, as a promise to stick to the agreement. Over time, the X came to stand for the kiss itself. (photo by Samdogs)
If X marks the spot, you’ve come to the right place!
I thought we’d give X a little love and attention today. As one of the least used letters in the alphabet (second only to Z), I imagine it must get pretty lonely at times.
A, E, I, O, U get invited to parties left and right. But X? It’s usually the first to be crossed off the A-list. This is what sometimes happens to letters with a sordid past: X-rated movies, Brand X, the symbol for “Poison.” But I’m happy to report X has redeemed itself of late.
Today, almost everybody wants an X-Box, loves the X-Files, and knows X to be a mover and shaker: XFER, XMIT, XREF, X-ing. Besides, who can resist a letter with such magnetism and mystique? The X-factor definitely makes life interesting.
Up until a few days ago, Diane Lockward was Lady X to me. I saw “My Husband Discovers Poetry” in Good Poems for Hard Times, and simply had to read more of her work. When I found “I’m Lonely as the Letter X,” I knew I had truly discovered a kindred spirit.
I’M LONELY AS THE LETTER X
by Diane Lockward
photo by Pixel Packing Mama.
Poor, neglected X, only two and a half pages
in a dictionary nearly three thousand long.
My lover’s gone. I know how it feels
to receive scant attention, to have gifts
ignored. X deserves more.
X is special, a symbol, shouting, Don’t do it!
And kindly too, warning of dangerous crossings,
strange, dark roads traveled alone.
Mysterious, an unknown quantity — who really knows
what X represents? I wish I were as prolific as X,
which goes forth and multiplies: 2x, 5x, 7x.
(Rest is here.)
photo by Abdallah.
I am in the habit of crossing my legs. But I’m not mysterious, just short.
Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect is our Poetry Friday hostess today. She’ll probably give you a kiss if you ask her ☺!
BTW, have you checked out Diane’s Blogalicious yet? Fab posts about poetry writing process. A good one to bookmark!
photo by emily2012.
Have an Xtraordinary weekend!
~ jama ♥
xxoo
Certified authentic alphabetica. Handmade especially for you with lots of love, hugs, and kisses!
Jama's Alphabet Soup 
Great post. Thanks for the link. Going to check Diane’s blog out.
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I don’t think X has anything to complain about after this delectable post. (I enjoyed it xtremely.)
😉 Janet
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What a cute poem!
There was a Garfield cartoon from a few years ago (on Will’s current page-a-day calendar), which shows Garfield wondering how dogs find their bones after burying them. Then he comes across Odie painting a big red X on the spot. 😀
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Love that poem.
Every time I read an alphabet picture book with a particularly clever treatment of “x,” I’m happy. Must be challenging to avoid the “xylophone” trap.
Jules
7-Imp
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Tanita Says 🙂
What a fun, twisty poem!
Love those gorgeous thigh-highs, too. Purty!
Sadly, I, too, am completely non-mysterious. Possibly if I had thigh-highs like that, I could maintain the appropriate aura of mystery, but I think it’s just all down to being short, too.
*sigh*
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Thanks for stopping in today! I think you’ll enjoy reading more about Diane.
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It’s my first X-rated post!! 😀
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That’s cute. I’ve always wondered how the squirrels find all the acorns they bury in our yard. 😀
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You’re right, the xylophone trap! Lots of them kind of “cheat” with “ex” words.
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Re: Tanita Says 🙂
Can’t do anything about the short thing, but mysterious — that’s something we can work on! I’m feeling your aura already . . .
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I’d like to be mysterious. But I’m not.
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Hmm. Where ARE my thigh-highs? I know I used to have some.
I couldn’t get on earlier today. LJ was acting funky. Giving me the xx off. Ha!
Anyhow, fun post, eXtra-delicious!
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Dobbins thinks you’re delightfully mysterious! He still has a crush on you :).
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I had some problems getting on yesterday, and a little today — I know yesterday’s was related to the DOSS attack on social networking sites, but don’t know about today. XX off! 😀 hee. You’re Xponentially brilliant!
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I find that oddly gratifying!
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x-games
Ooh I spent some time watching the x-games last week. Extreme sports- love ’em xxxxxxxx
Loved that poem too. Thanks!
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Re: x-games
X-tra thanks to you for reading!
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I LOVE knowing how X came to be the kiss standing beside O’s hugs!
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Now all I have to do is find out how “O” got to be the hugger!
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