I want to take this moment to acknowledge the short life and passing of Nadia Anjuman, a 25-year-old Afghani poet popular in her native country and neighboring Iran. According to police, she died after being knocked unconscious by her husband. Her husband has confessed to the beating, but denies causing her death. The family has denied authorities permission to conduct an autopsy, which may hamper any prosecution.

A student at Herat University, Anjuman published one book, Gule-Dodi (Dark Flower,) earlier this year. A second book is scheduled for publication in 2006. She leaves behind a six-month-old daughter.