Papa (for Hemingway)

[mike whitney]

Papa I visited your house today
You lived there long ago and far away
We tourists come to see the shows
Your place, the sunset and Sloppy Joe’s

Papa I'm coming home to you

Papa No matter what some people say
You told the truth and that won't go away
You said fight the fear, don't fear the fight
Find the truth and say it right.
Papa I'm coming home to you

Another sunny day on A1A at the bottom of the Keys
You found safe harbor there before the winter freeze

Papa your home’s alive with memory still
You live today I know you always will
The trade wind fills the Old Man's sails
His course is straight and true

Papa, I’m coming home to you

It was a movable feast and a farewell to arms for whom the bells tolls
And the sun also rises in the green hills of Africa..
If you're men without women in a clean well lighted place
After a three day blow, well, to have and have not..

© 1989 mikewhitney

[mike whitney]

Anita,

Thanks so much!

[Anita Saran]

Hey Mike -- I enjoyed your Papa Hemingway song. Keep it up! And this is mighty funny:

If you're men without women in a clean well lighted place
After a three day blow, well, to have and have not..

[mike whitney]

Tiger,

You got it, girl friend!

Thanks!

[Tiger]

Mike - great 6. Like so many others, Papa H. was my favourite read in school (and out). You've inspired me to go back and enjoy the books again. Thanks. And keep on singing those thoughts.

[mike whitney]

quin,

I totally understand your point of view: he was hard on people, especially wives, especially wives who competed with him on a writing level.

Thanks for liking the song! The romantic view is what young boy writers imprint on. imho. ;>)

[mike whitney]

Jodi,

SO glad you liked!
For you:

[Jodi MacArthur]

Great lyrics and put to your voice. Just perfect.

[mike whitney]

Brad,
Thank you, sir! I think perhaps the best flash fiction, as we know it today, is a result of Papa's influences on writers.

[mike whitney]

Dude,
Thanks so very much. Also suggest Carlos Baker book on Hem, if you haven't had the pleasure already.

[Brad Rose]

Mike

Hemingway has had the most powerful effect, I think, on my writing. (All shortcomings are mine, of course, not his.) In high school, when I first read him, I much admired the elegance, surgical precision, and grace under pressure nature of his prose. I internalized these as values, even if I could never hope to approach the excellence of his execution. Your 6 has caused me to reflect on this influence, and to revisit just how far I have to go, to achieve even a small shadow of his dignity and poise. Thanks for your 6.--Brad