Post by Fr David Neuhaus SJ | 20 April 2026
Mural tag of Mahmoud Darwish in downtown Tunis. Photograph by Emna Mizouni.
We have on this earth what makes life worth living
On September 17, 2025, a benefit concert, Together for Palestine, took place in England. It was held at Wembley Arena and was organized by Brian Eno. All proceeds went to Palestinian organizations, especially those working in Gaza. About 12500 people participated. Forty minutes into the concert, Mahmoud Darwish’s poem “We have on this earth what makes life worth living” was recited. It is a stirring poem, reminding us of the rays of light emerging, despite the darkness of catastrophe, destruction, occupation, discrimination and genocide. The video of the concert is programmed to open with the reading of the poem in Arabic (by Amer Hlehel, who played a role in the Voice of Hind Rajjab) and in English (by Benedict Cumberbatch).
We have on this earth what makes life worth living:
April’s hesitation
the aroma of bread at dawn
a woman’s opinion of men
the works of Aeschylus
the beginnings of love
grass on a stone
mothers who live on a flute’s sigh
and the invaders’ fear of memories.
we have on this earth what makes life worth living:
the final days of September
a woman leaving forty in full blossom
the hour of sunlight in prison
a cloud resembling a pack of creatures
the applause of a people for those who face their end with a smile
and the tyrants’ fear of songs.
we have on this earth what makes life worth living:
on this earth, the lady of earth
the mother of all beginnings
the mother of all endings
she was called Palestine
she came to be called Palestine
o lady, because you are my lady
I am worthy of life!
In order to get to know a little about the life of Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008), Palestine’s poet laureate, view here a short video on his life: