The Committee of Men

The Committee of Men, volume 1, is a powerful debut poetry collection by James Ciano. This work of literature and fiction explores the complex cycles of violence and the weight of inherited expectations within masculine identity. Drawing from personal experiences as a college athlete, Ciano examines how silence and shame shape the lives of men. The poems address the emotional pressures of tradition, the struggles of mental illness, and the difficulties of male intimacy.

This collection of poetry investigates themes of accountability, forgiveness, and the generational damage caused by unexamined masculinity. Through sharp lyricism, The Committee of Men asks how healing can occur when vulnerability is often discouraged. The volume includes a foreword by David St. John, which situates these poems within a broader poetic tradition. This book offers an unflinching look at the tension between belonging and exile in the modern world.