A Lonely Lantern in the Abyss

By: Bei Dao
Translated by: Yara El Masri

Immerse yourself in the profound and transformative world of Bei Dao — the poet who broke free from the confines of traditional Chinese poetry and redefined it with a language pulsing with freedom and humanity. This poetry collection — presented here for the first time in Arabic — unveils a voice that dares to confront the truths of human existence in their purest and most honest form.

The Chinese poet Bei Dao (born 1949) was not distant from Arab culture; he maintained strong friendships with prominent poets such as Mahmoud Darwish and Adonis, and found in Arabic poetry a mirror for his own questions about freedom, exile, and justice.

Born amid the sweeping transformations of the twentieth century, Bei Dao transcends cultural boundaries to offer a universal language that speaks directly to the heart and soul. Through Yara El Masri’s eloquent translation, fifty-eight poems come alive with transparent beauty — each a delicate brushstroke capturing the essence of life, the majesty of nature, and the hidden grace in everyday details.

Poetry that illuminates what we overlook, whispers secrets amid the clamor of life, and invites you to see the world through the eyes of a poet who finds miracles in the ordinary and melodies in silence.