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.

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