Kirk Douglas

Nineteen sixteen, Amsterdam, New York
for Jews no cakewalk.
Father denied work in the mills
becoming a rag man to pay the bills.

Issur Danielovitch Kirk was born
a chilly december his first yawn.
Newspaper boy one of his tasks
plus selling mill workers snacks.

High School and school plays
developing his acting craze.
One thing he always knew
a stage career he would pursue.

Enlisting for the second world war
discharged with war injuries in forty four.
Returning to New York, happy days
radio commercials and plays.

Lauren Bacall a guide and mentor
his movie screen activator.
Introduced Kirk to Hal. B.Wallis
screen tested showing promise.

Huge success in tough guy films
signing contracts no qualms.
Actor, producer, director, writer
nothing ever seemed to deter.

A sever stroke in ninety six
diggng into his bag of tricks.
Slowly finding his seventh heaven
still with us at ninety seven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyyGHHXfck