Written from 1969 to 1971, West Coast Beat poet Philip Whalen's "Scenes of Life at the Capital" is a lasting testament to the ambition, range, powers, and devotion of this crucially important American voice. Positioned among the Buddhist temples of Kyoto, Whalen looks across the ocean to address the new frontiers, political problems, and transformative hopes of the United States of the 1960s—so much of which still resonates today. In this new edition—with a deep and enlightening afterword by David Brazil—Whalen's poem is further cemented as a fundamental work in American literary history. Whalen's poetry is not difficult. Great poetry never is. Anybody can understand exactly what is being said, though it may take several readings to appreciate how deeply considered his "meanings" are. The poems are wise, not smart. They aren't grim. He reaches us, mostly, through wit and a cranky insistence upon joy. Most important, he makes poetry of the actual language of the street. —Lew Welch, San Francisco Chronicle , 1969 Whalen's "gibberish" stems from a koan-like affinity for paradox. It's infectious, like a laugh. His poetry immerses me in the great and mirthful doubt deep in his head—his revelations feel like my own. I feel that Whalen is saying, "Here: You have written eight hundred pages of my collected poems." And what a beautiful gift it is, from the poet, from the comic, from the Buddhist, from the gentle heart. —Max Ritvo, Parnassus A poet who simultaneously wants freedom for and from everybody, Whalen's writing has completely resisted the terms of American social and literary engagement that have been set down as unspoken law this century. —Anselm Berrigan, Jacket Magazine Many poets today look on themselves as the saviors and martyrs of their time. Whalen, on the contrary, is not concerned with revolutions and social panaceas. If he sees the big man at all he sees him in the small situation: tripping over a pebble on his journey to deliver a rose. Out of themes that are often seemingly mundane and prosaic he creates poetry of significance because his vision is peculiarly his own and because the clarity of his intelligence is capable of grasping and arresting meaning in seemingly ephemeral and unimportant subjects. —David Kherdian Whalen's singular style and personality contribute to his character in verse as a bawdy, honest, moody, complicated songster of the frenzied mid-century, an original troubadour and thinker who refused to take himself too seriously during the great revival of visionary lyric in American poetry. —Paul Christensen, Dictionary of Literary Biography Philip Whalen (1923–2002) was a central figure of the San Francisco Renaissance and Beat movements. One of the readers at the historic Six Gallery reading, he was the author of numerous books of poetry and prose. A longtime practicing Buddhist, he was eventually ordained as a Zen monk and practiced at Zen Centers in New Mexico and San Francisco until his passing in 2002. David Brazil is a poet, pastor and translator. His third book of poetry, Holy Ghost (City Lights, 2017), was nominated for a California Book Award. With Kevin Killian, he co-edited The Kenning Anthology of Poets Theater, 1945-1985 . With China Okoye, he was the founding curator of the Berkeley Art Museum's Black Life series, focusing on cultural production in the African diaspora. He has presented his work at Cambridge University, Johns Hopkins, and San Francisco State University, among other venues. He lives in New Orleans. Scenes of Life at the Capital For Allen Ginsberg Having returned at last and being carefully seated On the floor—somebody else's floor, as usual— Far away across that ocean which looked Through Newport windows years ago—somebody else's livingroom— Another messed-up weedy garden Tall floppy improbably red flowers All the leaves turned over in the rain Ridged furry scrotum veins Hedges glisten tile roof tin roof telephone pole Decoratively tormented black pine Slowly repeating its careful program Endlessly regretting but here is original done once Not to be reproduced nor electronically remembered Loosten up. Festoon. An enormous drop of pure water suddenly there Right in the center of preceding page Nothing can be done about that. The line was ruined. OK. Belt hair. A bend is funnier. Bar Kochba. Do something About it. Like animal factory mayhem. The master said, "You shouldn't have put Yourself into such a position In the first place." Nevertheless, It all looks different, right to left. Another master said, "Well, You can always take more, you know." The wind went by just now South Dakota. Who's responsible for this Absurd revival of the Byzantine Empire, Sioux Falls-Mitchell-Yankton area? Further anomalies of this order will receive Such punishment as a Court Martial may direct Or the discretion of the Company Commander Failure to conform with these regulations Shall be punished by Court Martial TAKE ALL YOU WANT BUT EAT ALL YOU