David Onkinerah

16th Century

Little is known about the poet David Onkinerah. He may have been born in Istanbul, and he certainly resided in Salonika. He was a gifted poet and the youngest member of the Salonika circle of poets. Five of Onkinerah’s Hebrew sonnets have survived, one of which was composed in Damascus.

Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator

Primary Source

Bliss

Restricted
Text
We shall live in the shade of the graceful doe and, living there, shall be sustained. We shall walk through darkness by her light, with never-ending joy. When she laughs, we will burst into song; when…

Primary Source

The Vow

Restricted
Text
I saw your figure in my dream, gazelle, flashing like lightning. It gave light to my darkened eyes, and I saw that your face was a model of the heavens. The sun and moon are set in it, the stars and…

Primary Source

Wounds of Love

Restricted
Text
I heard your voice, my love, and all my senses throbbed and my soul quivered in dismay. The light of my face darkened, my sun was covered with shadows, and my eyes streamed like rivers. The arrows of…