Here we are - having survived the end of the world. And, fittingly, we made it, on the shortest day of the year. Rejoice: the light starts coming back as of tomorrow, and Christmas is coming too! Eyewear will be back in 2013, with more posts about poetry, film, music, and politics, and the new books we'll be publishing - we have some eye-catching reviews lined up. For now, it's time to start hanging up the stockings by the chimney with care. Also, spare a moment for those who are ill in body or mind, in prison, homeless, away at war, lonely, or depressed. Try and give someone you may know who is having a hard time a better time of it. May I wish you a very happy time with your families and friends, and all the best for the new year.
A poem for my mother, July 15 When she was dying And I was in a different country I dreamt I was there with her Flying over the ocean very quickly, And arriving in the room like a dream And I was a dream, but the meaning was more Than a dream has – it was a moving over time And land, over water, to get love across Fast enough, to be there, before she died, To lean over the small, huddled figure, In the dark, and without bothering her Even with apologies, and be a kiss in the air, A dream of a kiss, or even less, the thought of one, And when I woke, none of this had happened, She was still far distant, and we had not spoken.

Comments
May we wish you and your wife Sara a very Happy New Year!
Best wishes from Simon & Rusty