«In the Presence of the Absence». Poetry and prose works of the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008). Written at the apex of his creativity, poet looks back at his own existence, intertwined with that of his people. Through these lyrical meditations on love, longing, Palestine, history, friendship, family, and the ongoing conversation between life and death, the poet bids himself and his readers a poignant farewell. First published in 2006.