Dory Leviss
I wish to introduce one of the beneficiaries of the most gratifying environment of Century Village, Deerfield Beach, FL.
Dory Leviss is a vital, beautiful, articulate 93 year old. She is a Poet of exceptional talent and delights many of the village's residents with her excellent, forceful and passionate rendering of her original and enlightening poems.
I am enclosing herein two of Dory's treasure chest of over 300 poems. Were you to hear her rendering, you would be doubly impressed. One deals with the deprivation of childhood and the other with the concerns of advanced age. Her love of people and life is the dominant theme of most of her creations.
She would be a delightful guest on anyone's show. She would be an interesting, engaging and delightful representative of the retirees, of this generation, many of whom see their advanced age an opportunity to enjoy an energetic, creative and graceful life.
Dory would be pleased to appear on your show at the conditions that you usually extend guests of her standing. If you were to consider a representative group, for a full hour program, Dory and I will be pleased to assist in arrangements.
For your kind consideration.
Melvin Hassan
It is true that I am a feminist. I am, also, a wife, a mother, a poet and a dreamer of many realized dreams.
I went back to college after 1 married and had two children. I received my degree when I was 45. I taught for 15 years in Henry Lord Jr. H.S. in Fall River, Mass. I taught English and first year Latin. I also taught Senior English at Joseph Case High School.
Poetry was my first love and I know I transferred that love to the children in my classes.
Each and every one wrote Poetry, whether it was good, bad or indifferent. It was their thoughts that they put on paper and they were proud of their efforts. I was proud of them.
Through the years:
I have had my HOLOCAUST POEM accepted by the HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, Washington D.C. and it is now held in their archives.
Every month I have a poem of mine published in the Century Village Reporter.
I have had the local Philosophy Club call on me for the last five years to share an hour of my poetry with them.
I have received poetry awards.
Every week I churn out a poem.
Enough 'churning'!
FORGET IT – I AM NOT GOING
If you think I am ready for the Home for the Aged,
Where they warehouse old people and file them away,
Forget it—I am not going.
I have miles to go before you tuck me away,
I have poems to write, goals to reach,
Many more years to live regardless of advanced age.
I will always want the sun on my back,
The wind in my hair.
I will always want a hug and a kiss,
A lover or two, instead of an old woolen shawl, or an old rocking chair.
I don’t mind if you think me a fool.
To the very last minute, I want to be home,
With a double martini in my gnarled old hand.
To the very last minute I want to laugh with a friend,
Of how naughty and happy we were in our youth.
I will not stand for a pat on the head,
A condescending embrace or a patronizing remark,
Like , “Honey, be a good little girl today.”
I’d rather be dead. So forget it,
I am not going to the Home for the Aged.
