Roses facing up

The work of a post-90s Palestinian youth poet, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism,
the voice of Gaza, intertwined with cruelty and resilience.
A rose standing tall amidst the ruins, it is both poetry and life.
Amazon rating 4.8, Goodreads rating 4.75
Winner of the Palestine Book Award, the American Book Award, and the Walcott Poetry Prize
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry
Recommended by numerous celebrities, praised by media, and overwhelmingly positive reader reviews.
 
 "Don't be surprised when you see
a rose in the ruins of a home
standing tall:
This is how we survive."

This poetry collection directly stems from the poet's experiences of growing up and living in Gaza under a long-term blockade and frequent attacks. As a former child, now a father, and a survivor of multiple military assaults, he has witnessed the cruel cycle of destruction and devastation. But beyond the shells and drones, there are also the aromas of tea, blooming roses, and ocean views at sunset. Children are born, families continue traditions, students go to university, libraries rise from the rubble... Palestinians continue their lives, create beauty, and find new ways of living.

At the beginning of this book, the poet sketches Palestinian daily life in "A Palestinian Dictionary," showcasing the collective memory of the Palestinian people. In "Author Interview," he discusses his own experiences in Gaza, his family origins, and how he embarked on the path of poetry. Li Wan, a young poet and translator of similar age to the author, passionately penned a postscript for this book, further introducing and explaining its significance.