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Free Gifts
from Michael Finley
Why not bookmark Mike's columns for your weekly enjoyment?
(c) 1977, from The Movie under the Blindfold
YOUR HUMAN BEING
Do we know what our gifts are before we give them?
Closer than we ever dreamed,
the way the members of this family
pass through one another
wordlessly, where there
is a bowlful of something
especially for you.
Let's not ever say plural again,
let's not speak in our waking lives again.
If we can't be friends let's be lovers.
We have no time for impatience.
Keep time the way you keep
everything else,
temporarily.
For your two hands are only seeds of miraculous songs,
interrupted by silences,
unfolding at the edge of what you are.
I, Don Corleone
GIFTS LISTED BELOW
Here is the list of gift pieces I created for this site. I write hundreds of things, but I wanted to set aside a special few as presents for first-time visitors.This relates to my theory of writing. Good writing for me must always be a gift of some sort. One reason I dislike so much writing today is the sense that there is nothing in it for me. Good writing must provide some sort of service to the reader.
I remember when The Godfather came out in the 1970s, how impressive it was that people sought out Don Corleone -- because he was there to serve them. His existence -- violent, bullying, plutocratic -- was justified by his connection to his community.
Well, there's only so far you can go with that and free-lance writing. But the essence of it lingers and resonates for me. To be read -- be of use.
And so here are some sentimental favorites of mine. Maybe they will be of use to you -- unblocking a memory, or putting into words something you needed to see expressed. Have a look, and enjoy.
The Old Scout and the Three Strikes of Life
The Greatest Arcade Hero of Them All
The Itinerary of the Internet Cat
"Good Dog" ... The story of a good dog.
"The Three Mosquitoes" ... A story my daughter Daniele wrote together with me when she was 7.
"The Ice Father" ... A remarkable true story I recreated from an old wire clipping.
"The New Yorker" ... poems from a book tour
"Guatemaltecan Prayers" ... travel writing with teeth
"Star" ... the story of a good cow.
"Remaindering" ... The plight of the out of print poet.
"The Good King" another collaboration with Daniele.
"A Techie Thanksgiving ... holiday pie for a computer friend
"Things I Should Have Remembered" ... How quickly they grow up.
"A Frankenstein Christmas" ... Let's put Frankenstein back into Christmas!
"Old Stone Enters into Heaven ... The Master Calls Him to His Reward
"The Man in the Warehouse Window ... Who Really Killed JFK? It was you and me.
"The Tooth Fairy Naked At Last ... The things you never knew, or were afraid to ask