The Very Small Mammoths of Wrangel Island doubles as a reflective journey and trivia-night-preparation packet. Finlay’s life as a self-described transient is fully displayed across this seven-part collection of prose poems as he relays a mix of little-known historical factoids and personal musings. Most of the former poems appear in the first part, briefly describing tales such as Native polar bear hunters in 1841 (7), teeth-scavenging soldiers after the Battle of Waterloo (16), and the last five monks that left the Turkish city of Ani in the mid-17th century (18). The oddities explored in the early parts of the book are intriguing and well told, but they also highlight key human experiences and emotions. The later additions turn inward, pulling Finlay’s struggles with addiction, love, and fatherhood to the surface. His alcoholism is presented through a series of consecutive poems summarizing a five-day bender (48-52), and the raw insights that break through could come only from an impressively self-reflective author. The personal moments lighten in another connected set of poems that create mock instructions for raising a daughter for various futures—from prison reformer to spoken-word poet (39-42). A spattering of poems about creativity and interpreting art pop into each part as brief intermissions when heavier themes linger, allowing the reader to breathe just as the atmosphere grows tense. Ultimately, Finlay manages to balance humor and meaningful insights without forgoing his interest in random stories, creating a truly enjoyable reading experience that is likely to inspire when least expected.
Click on cover to purchase book from Urban Farmhouse Press.