‘Love & Death & Love’ His first book of poetry at age 90

At 90 years of age, Flushing House resident Leon Zuckrow has published his first book of poetry, “Love & Death & Love,” which is comprised of works that were written following the death of his first wife.
Previously, Zuckrow, who was born in Philadelphia, wrote occasional poetry, for events such as birthdays. He said that although he knew the mechanics of it, he “didn’t have any great need for it.”
When his wife passed away 45 years ago, Zuckrow began writing poetry as a way to deal with his wife’s death. However, he was doing it only for himself and not for anyone else.
Zuckrow’s daughter and a couple other people had pushed him to publish his work. He finally decided to do so about a year ago. It came out shortly before he turned 90.
“Love & Death & Love” features 95 of Zuckrow’s poems, although he said he has written many more than that. The poems take one through the stages that he went through when his wife passed away. He said first there was a period of grief and desolation, followed by a period of understanding. Finally, there was a feeling of elation that he had had love.
“They’ll understand what loves means (and) that death intervenes,” Zuckrow said. “It does not prevent or stop it. Love continues.”
Zuckrow, who also recently recorded the poems from the book onto CD, has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, many of whom never knew his first wife.
“This is a way for them to know what our life was like and what our love was like,” he said.
Although Zuckrow said it is “just a book,” it has also said that it also means something special to him personally.
“For me, this is like having my wife back again,” Zuckrow said.
Zuckrow moved to Flushing House seven years ago after his second wife passed away and his daughter already knew someone who was living there. He is a member of the Flushing House Drama Group, which reads acts of plays almost every Saturday afternoon.
Along with his writing, Zuckrow also does non-conformist artwork, including sculptures. He said that he has been doing art longer than he has been writing poetry, and said that he works mostly with found materials.
A graduate of Columbia University, Zuckrow has formerly worked as a teacher and worked in private industry and for the federal government.
Zuckrow will be giving a reading at Flushing House in the near future and is available for public readings and book signings. For more information, contact Robert Salant at 347-532-3025 or rsalant@uam.org.
Published by iUniverse, Zuckrow’s poetry book “Love & Death & Love” can be purchased through Barnes and Noble’s website, www.bn.com.