By John Wieners. Afterword by James Dunn, Robert Dewhurst, Raymond Foye.
With the original remaining copies destroyed in a 1982 arson fire at the Fag Rag/Good Gay Poets offices, a beloved cult classic returns to print for the first time in five decades
Already known as a "poet's poet," John Wieners (1934–2002) moved to Boston's Beacon Hill in 1972, where he was involved with anti-war and gay liberation movements and organizations devoted to the rights of people with mental health conditions. Out of this milieu emerged Behind the State Capitol, described by its author as "Cinema decoupages; verses, abbreviated prose insights." It is the record of a poet whose life has been shattered by poverty, drug addiction and mental illness. Wieners creates a complex schizo-analysis of language, capitalism, incarceration and state power, while reflecting on unpopular themes of aging and loneliness in the gay world. Considered by many to be his poetical masterpiece, the book was met variously with indifference and outrage when it was published in 1975. In 1982, most remaining copies of the book were destroyed in the Fag Rag/Good Gay Poets arson. Available in print for the first time in 50 years, this revitalized edition contains new afterwords by Wieners' friend James Dunn and the poet's biographer Robert Dewhurst.
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Thursday, December 11, at 7 PM EST, 192 Books presents Raymond Foye and Peter Gizzi discussing The Song Cave's 50th Anniversary Edition of John Wiener’s Behind the State Capitol: Or Cincinnati Pike. This event will take place in person at 192 10th Avenue, New York. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. continue to blog
FORMAT: Pbk, 6 x 8.5 in. / 250 pgs / 42 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $25.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $35 GBP £20.00 ISBN: 9798991298872 PUBLISHER: The Song Cave AVAILABLE: 11/25/2025 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: WORLD
Behind the State Capitol: Or Cincinnati Pike 50th Anniversary Edition
Published by The Song Cave. By John Wieners. Afterword by James Dunn, Robert Dewhurst, Raymond Foye.
With the original remaining copies destroyed in a 1982 arson fire at the Fag Rag/Good Gay Poets offices, a beloved cult classic returns to print for the first time in five decades
Already known as a "poet's poet," John Wieners (1934–2002) moved to Boston's Beacon Hill in 1972, where he was involved with anti-war and gay liberation movements and organizations devoted to the rights of people with mental health conditions. Out of this milieu emerged Behind the State Capitol, described by its author as "Cinema decoupages; verses, abbreviated prose insights." It is the record of a poet whose life has been shattered by poverty, drug addiction and mental illness. Wieners creates a complex schizo-analysis of language, capitalism, incarceration and state power, while reflecting on unpopular themes of aging and loneliness in the gay world.
Considered by many to be his poetical masterpiece, the book was met variously with indifference and outrage when it was published in 1975. In 1982, most remaining copies of the book were destroyed in the Fag Rag/Good Gay Poets arson. Available in print for the first time in 50 years, this revitalized edition contains new afterwords by Wieners' friend James Dunn and the poet's biographer Robert Dewhurst.
