Available from publishers The Song Cave for the first time in 50 years, Behind the State Capitol: Or Cincinnati Pike has long enjoyed cult status. 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. It is also a paean for his beloved city of Boston, as he witnessed its destruction by the onerous forces of urban renewal. Today 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 arson fire of Fag Rag/Good Gay Poets offices.

John Wieners read frequently at The Poetry Project throughout his career, and often referred to it as his “home away from home.” With readings by Bahaar Ahsan, Gabe Barboza, Lonely Christopher, Kyle Dacuyan, Maria Damon, Robert Dewhurst, James Dunn, Gabe Rubin + Felix Bernstein, Samuel Espíndola Hernández, Stephen Ira, and Tenaya Nasser-Frederick.

This event will also be livestreamed for free on the Project’s YouTube channel.