Breakups are tough. There’s the drama, the heartbreak, the divvying up of friends and belongings. But what happens when the breakup isn’t with a person, but with an entire nation? Poet James W. Gaynor is tackling that exact feeling in his powerful new collection, Breaking Up on X! 20 Poems for a Nation in Crisis.
This isn’t just a book of poetry; it’s a gut-punch of a statement, a raw and collaborative response to what Gaynor calls “our difficult national situation.” And he’s putting his money where his mouth is—all profits from the book are being donated directly to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to help defend the very rights and freedoms under strain.
A Chorus of Discontent
Gaynor knew this conversation was bigger than just his own voice. He brought in some heavy hitters to round out the project, turning the book into a multi-faceted dialogue. The collection features a foreword by author Nola Saint James, a powerful introduction from famed constitutional lawyer Michael E. Tigar, and a thoughtful afterword by David Bergman, the poetry editor for the Gay and Lesbian Review.
In a recent interview, Gaynor explained the project’s spirit: “The personal and political have never been more intertwined. The language of a personal breakup—the disappointment, the betrayal, the hope for reconciliation—felt like the perfect metaphor for how many of us feel about our country right now.”
Tigar, in his introduction, echoes this sentiment, framing the collection as a vital piece of social commentary.
“Art is not a luxury in times of crisis; it is a necessity. Gaynor’s words are a testament to the power of the poet to hold a mirror to society and demand we see ourselves.”
What’s in a Name?
So, what does the “X” stand for? According to publisher Pinfeather Press, its meaning is layered—representing everything from “a variable, a former lover, a canceled platform, a nation.” It’s this clever ambiguity that makes the poems resonate on so many levels, capturing both personal and collective heartbreak.
The collection itself is filled with poignant, sharp verse that cuts right to the bone. Take this piece, “End of the road,” for example:
Our journey took longer than expected
due to stops both scheduled and un-
changes in destination and
even though the mirror kept reminding me
objects were closer than they appeared
a warning I chose to disregard
then suddenly I am here
you are not,
Art for Action
By channeling all profits to the ACLU, Gaynor and his collaborators are turning their art into direct action. At a time when the ACLU is engaged in critical legal battles over voting access, LGBTQ+ rights, and free speech, the support is more crucial than ever. The book isn’t just a commentary on the crisis; it’s an active tool to fight it.
Fan reactions have been pouring in, with many readers on platforms like Goodreads praising the book’s timeliness and raw emotion. One reader called it “a gut punch in the best way,” adding that “these poems capture the anxiety and anger so many of us are feeling.”
In a world saturated with hot takes and fleeting outrage, Breaking Up on X! offers something more lasting: a beautifully crafted, deeply personal, and unapologetically political work of art that invites us not just to feel, but to act.
As Gaynor himself put it: “I wanted this to be more than just my voice… [I wanted to create] a conversation on the page, a chorus of perspectives on this crisis.”
