Riyad Al-Saleh Al-Hussein

Riyad Al-Saleh Al-Hussein (1954–1982) (Arabic= رياض الصالح الحسين) was a Syrian Poet from Daraa. Al-Hussein is considered to be one of the most influential pioneers of modern Arabic poetry and was known for his prose poems characterized with simple words and beauty.

Early life Riyad suffered from kidney problems, deafness, and diabetes throughout his brief lifetime. He underwent surgery at the age of 13 for his kidney which ultimately caused his deafness; he then went on a journey to Bulgaria to ease the symptoms of the botched surgery, then traveled back to Aleppo, then to Damascus. He published three poetry collections in his lifetime exploring themes of love, death, and war. Five months before his death, his last collection was published "Simple like Water, Clear like a Bullet" in 1982.

Death There is a lot of speculation concerning his early death. Riyad was known to be isolated and reserved by his friends. Syrian poet and artist Munther al-Masri, a close friend of Riyad's, alludes to the prospect of death brought on by heartbreak in an introduction to his complete collection of poetry.

Publications Circulatory Disorder (Kharab Aldawrat Aldamaweia), 1979 Daily Legends ('Asatir Yawmia),1980 Simple like Water, Clear like a Bullet, 1980 Caribou in the Forest (Waeal Fi Alghaba), 1983