Creator Bio
Kurt Wolfskehl
1869–1948
Born in Darmstadt, Germany, into a banking family, the poet Karl Wolfskehl was the sole Jewish member of the circle that worshiped the charismatic lyric poet Stefan George. The circle, which included outspoken ultranationalists, met at Wolfskehl’s Munich house from 1899 to 1932. When Hitler came to power, Wolfskehl moved to Italy, but in 1938 he settled permanently in New Zealand. After he left Germany, Jewish themes became central to his work.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
Primary Source
Lord, I Want to Return
Lord, I want to return to your word,
Lord, I want to pour out my wine,
Lord, I want to go, to go to you,
Lord, I do not know what should be done,
I am alone.
I am alone in empty air,
In terror of…
Primary Source
To Be Said at the Seder
Over and over, when the wayside dust had grayed us,
And we came and knocked at another’s door,
He threatened us with his fist and gainsaid us:
This is not your place! Move on!
Over and over.
Over…
Primary Source
The Voice
Over and over, yes, over and over,
I shook the pinions of my anger,
Again and again you broke faith with me,
And I stormed at your crop of iniquity.
But over and over, and over and over,
Your songs…
Primary Source
Yom HaKippurim
Do you know who turns and returns?
Do you know the meaning of Atonement?
Do you know who watched for you by night,
Late, and in the early morning light?
Do you know who verges on Atonement?
Do you…