Memory for Forgetfulness

Memory for Forgetfulness is one of Mahmoud Darwish's more notable works. The piece is a prose poem which deals exclusively with "Hiroshima Day" during the Lebanese Civil War and the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Darwish uses symbolism of birth, death, coffee, and doves to discuss the fear of existence during the Lebanese civil war and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. In addition, the poem extensively uses the same symbols to discuss Darwish's perception of the Palestinians' loss of their homeland. It is widely regarded as a deeply beautiful and delicate work.