Poems of Imad Abu Saleh

The Poems of Emad Abu Saleh, published by Diwan, marks a historic literary milestone by gathering the complete works of one of contemporary Arabic prose poetry’s most enigmatic and revered figures. For decades, the Egyptian poet operated entirely on the margins of the literary establishment, self-publishing his slim collections in tiny print runs and giving them away, earning a cult-like status among readers. This comprehensive volume brings together his famous collections—including An Old Man Hurt by His Backs, Walking Blessed with Chatter, The Engineer of the World, and He Used to Touch Her Dresses. Abu Saleh’s minimalist, razor-sharp prose poems dissect solitude, physical fragility, urban decay, and domestic heartbreaks. Devoid of ornamental fluff, his verse relies on devastating honesty, black humor, and raw imagery, creating an unforgettable voice in modern Arabic literature.

It grants access to the collected works of a mythic figure in modern Arabic prose poetry, whose raw, starkly honest, and minimalist writing offers a deeply moving exploration of human vulnerability and isolation.

Ideal for lovers of modern Arabic prose poetry, readers drawn to avant-garde and rebel literature, and fans of dark, minimalist, and deeply personal poetry.