Well it is the first of the shorter issues, and this will be a short editorial too. This issue sees an increase in work by expat writers. In the March issue we should see this balanced back with some more work by locals. Bryn and I would also like to thank you all for your support in the first few months of Eastlit. At times it is a lot of work and a little stressful, but then we do get to read all the excellent submissions even if we cannot publish them all. Thanks for contributing and thanks for reading. We hope in its own little way Eastlit can continue to be part of your life.

Of course this month sees the Chinese New Year arrive and we leave the year of the dragon for the year of the snake. At Eastlit we wish everyone well in the coming year. New years are time for change with the Chinese one giving opportunity again. So often change is needed. In Vietnam the snake is a symbol of luck and 2013 is expected to be a year of prosperity and peace. The world could certainly do with a bit of both of those. There have been far too many new conflicts spring up in recent years. Let’s hope the coming years are better ones for all.

To see out this editorial, and in a similar vein, I have included a new poem by Afzal Moolla who has featured in Eastlit before. It seems somewhat topical. All I would add to it is that we should also spare a moment to think about all those killed, maimed and tortured in conflict too. There is still too much around the world.

Peace in the New Year.

Graham.

The Burning of Manuscripts by Afzal Moolla

1.
The hubris of religious bigotry,

is chilling,

as ancient manuscripts are torched,

and,
burnt to cinders.
2.
The searing furnace of fanaticism,
rages on and on,

while,
history itself vanishes,

amidst the smouldering embers.
3.
The arrogance of prejudice,

in all its countless incarnations,

runs amok,
ablaze with self-righteous conceit,

as the smoke billows,

smearing a greying sky,
with the ashes of history,

above a library in Timbuktu.