Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "Rafael Cansinos-Asséns" is a tribute to the Spanish writer, translator, and mentor who had a significant influence on Borges himself. Through the poem, Borges explores Cansinos-Asséns's profound connection with Jewish culture, spirituality, and literature, highlighting his deep identification with the history and destiny of the Jewish people. The poem also reflects on the idea of a spiritual calling and the enduring impact of Cansinos-Asséns’s legacy.

The poem begins by depicting Cansinos-Asséns as someone drawn to "the image of such a people, detested / And stoned, and in their suffering eternal." This reference to the Jewish people highlights their long history of persecution and suffering. Borges presents Cansinos-Asséns as being deeply affected by this history, feeling a "holy dread" as he contemplates the endurance and resilience of the Jewish people throughout their "fearful vigil," a phrase that captures the constant state of alertness and survival that defines much of Jewish history.

Cansinos-Asséns's engagement with Jewish texts is portrayed as both profound and personal: "As with deep drinks of vintage, so did he / Drink the Psalms and the Song of Solomon." Borges likens Cansinos-Asséns’s absorption of these sacred texts to the act of drinking deeply of fine wine, suggesting a sense of pleasure and spiritual nourishment. The Psalms and the Song of Solomon, key texts in the Hebrew Bible, represent not just religious devotion but also a deep emotional and poetic connection. For Cansinos-Asséns, these texts are more than just literature; they are an integral part of his identity, as Borges notes that "He felt that such a sweetness was his own, / He felt that all this was his destiny."

The phrase "Israel called him" signals a spiritual awakening or calling that Cansinos-Asséns experiences. Borges draws a parallel between Cansinos-Asséns and Moses, the prophet who heard "the secret word / Of the Lord talking from the burning thicket." This comparison is significant because it places Cansinos-Asséns in a prophetic tradition, suggesting that his engagement with Jewish culture and literature is not merely academic but deeply spiritual. Like Moses, who received divine revelation, Cansinos-Asséns hears the "secret word" of Israel—representing the deeper truths and spiritual messages embedded in Jewish tradition.

Borges concludes the poem with a personal note, expressing a desire for Cansinos-Asséns’s memory to "walk with me forever." This line signifies Borges's deep respect and admiration for his mentor, indicating that the influence of Cansinos-Asséns is something Borges carries with him throughout his life. The final line, "And all the rest of it glory will tell of," suggests that Cansinos-Asséns’s legacy will be celebrated and remembered, with his contributions to literature and his spiritual insights receiving the recognition they deserve.

"Rafael Cansinos-Asséns" is a deeply reflective and respectful homage to a man who profoundly influenced Borges. The poem captures Cansinos-Asséns's spiritual and intellectual journey, his deep connection with Jewish culture, and his role as a guide and mentor. Borges presents Cansinos-Asséns as a figure who transcends his own time, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate. Through this tribute, Borges also reflects on the power of literature and spiritual tradition to shape identities and destinies, and the enduring impact of a mentor's influence on the life of a disciple.

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