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Object 5. "Last winter a Polaris Rose I planted ..."

September 1988

Description:

Raphael wrote extensively and translated in many languages. Many of his personal compositions arise out of an image or they chronicle events in his life. He was also deeply attached to medieval liturgical poets such as Solomon Ibn Gabirol, whom Raphael greatly admired; he said he was aware of 'the ghost of Ibn Gabirol over' his shoulder as he wrote. His papers attest to the large amounts of time and effort he put into this endeavour, ranging from sketchy notes through to reworked typed versions, and finally published items. The Polaris Rose poem is an example of Raphael’s original compositions in English and Hebrew being turned into a greetings card.

"Who for man's lips, as for each tree,
Created fruit: I raise
Worship to his Name, Knowing He
Transcends all human praise."

Credits: Leopold Muller Memorial Library, Raphael Loewe Pamphlets Collection, shelfmark: Poetry IV, 12