This poetry collection is a book for those who do not turn a blind eye to the often desperate state of our world. Presented in a formal and artistic way, the poems cultivate hope and bring us back to what is significant and fundamental in our lives. "For the Despairing Alone" shows us the small glimpses of joy that watch over us and give us hope for the human world. Relating to nature and botany in a creative way, this book reveals to us that even in small things, such as nature, there can be joy in the turmoil-filled world that we live in today.

RENÉ LAPIERRE is the winner of the 2013 Governor General's Award for French-language poetry. He has taught in the literature department at UQAM for many years and published several critical essays, texts on social and political engagement, two novels, and a dozen poetry collections. He lives in Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
DONALD WINKLER was born in Winnipeg, graduated from the University of Manitoba, and as a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, did graduate study at the Yale School of Drama. From 1967 to 1995 he was a film director and writer at the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal, and since the 1980s, a translator of Quebec literature. In 1994, 2011, and 2013 he won the Governor General Award for French to English translation, and has been a finalist for the prize on two other occasions. He lives in Montreal.

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Donald Winkler was born in Winnipeg, graduated from the University of Manitoba, and did graduate study at the Yale School of Drama. From 1967 to 1995 he was a film director and writer at the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal, and since the 1980s, a translator of Quebec literature. In 1994, 2011, and 2013 he won the Governor General Award for French to English translation, and has been a finalist for the prize on three other occasions. His translation of Samuel Archibald's short story collection, "Arvida," was a finalist for the 2015 Giller Prize. He lives in Montreal, Quebec.

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