Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008) was a Palestinian poet and author widely considered his nation's national poet. His poignant and evocative verses captured the anguish of dispossession, the longing for homeland, and the resilience of the Palestinian spirit.

Born in the village of al-Birwa in Galilee, Darwish's childhood was marked by the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. His family was forced to flee their home, becoming refugees in Lebanon. This experience of exile deeply shaped his poetry, which frequently grapples with themes of displacement, identity, and belonging.

Darwish's early poems were infused with a strong sense of Palestinian nationalism and resistance. He faced imprisonment and house arrest for his outspoken views, but his words resonated with a generation yearning for freedom and self-determination.

Throughout his career, Darwish's poetry evolved, becoming more introspective and philosophical. He explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human existence. His later works often feature rich symbolism and imagery, drawing inspiration from nature, myth, and Palestinian folklore.