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Claire Simons lives in a beach town within San Diego where she is writing a book of short stories. She also creates multi-media projects through her own company Claire De Lune Productions. In past lives she worked in a disco in Crete, studied acting in New York with Lee Strausberg, and performed Off Broadway. Her television career began at the Ed Sullivan Theatre where she worked on an Emmy Award-winning show. Later, in Los Angeles, she wrote two made-for-television movies. Claire writes, "My essay The Greatest was written as a dedication to my father, a former Golden Glove – Heavyweight Champion. In my essay I say that 'when I was twelve Dad taught me how to shoot craps, pick horses, count cards and throw a punch.[life lessons for a blossoming daughter].' I sent a copy of An Ear to the Ground to Muhammad Ali’s office requesting an autograph. The book was returned with Ali’s signature above my title. On the anniversary of my father's death, I received a call from Ali’s office saying that his wife had read my essay and liked it. She especially liked that it was written by a woman about boxing. The staff person asked if I would be interested in letting Ali’s use my writing on his web site, along with other writers such as George Plimpton, Norman Mailer, and Joyce Carol Oates. I was honored by their request and accepted immediately. I hung up and said a prayer for my Dad, blessing his teachings. I signed a contract with Greatest Of All Time, Inc. and await the debut of the web site." The following is an excerpt from The Greatest I met Muhammad Ali on the street the other day. I saw him as the Fifty-Seventh Street bus inched its way across Manhattan. He was signing autographs for a small crowd of passersby in front of the Meridian Hotel. A swarm of cab drivers, double-parked, was blocking traffic so they could shake his hand. He looked jovial as he sparred with men half his size and listened to their stories. They reached up to pat him on the back before they sauntered to their cabs, proudly waving their autographed copies of the Daily News. Seeing him jarred a cherished memory, a reminder of strength and youth. Ali was my father's hero. He was my link with greatness and love. "I too must touch the legend," I thought. "Getting out!" I demanded of the bus driver. |
| The essay The Greatest appears in the book An Ear to the Ground an anthology of the works of Václav Havel, Arun Gandhi, Horton Foote, and 75 emerging writers. |