From the Journals of Mahmoud Darwish 1941–2008 | Mahmoud Darwish | Granta Magazine

From the Journals of Mahmoud Darwish 1941–2008

Mahmoud Darwish

Translated by Catherine Cobham

‘I’m alive even though I feel no pain.’

Mahmoud Darwish

Mahmoud Darwish (1941–2008) was born in Upper Galilee, Palestine. He fled with his family to Lebanon in 1948 and after returning to the newly formed state of Israel, he began writing poetry. In 1988, he wrote the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. A River Dies of Thirst: A Journal was published in 2010.

More about the author →

Translated by Catherine Cobham

Catherine Cobham teaches Arabic language and literature at the University of St Andrews and has translated a number of Arab writers, including Naguib Mahfouz,Yusuf Idris, Hanan al-Shaykh and Fuad al- Takarli.

More about the translator →