Expressive poetry

I do think that everyone is born a poet. It is quite a fortune and misfortune as well to be born crying for somebody else, feel for everyone and everything around you, sensitive and sensible as can be, although it is something morally valuable. But, then, there are those who write poetry, publish poetry and are acclaimed as poets locally and abroad.

There are also those pseudo poets who think they are something but in fact they are nothing. I am not writing this letter to pass judgement. I am just portraying reality. But, in my opinion, the poet's general duty is to be conscious of what is happening around, and defend the poorest of the poor, the sick, the marginalised and so on.

Therefore, it would be better for many so called poetry associations to write and try to change the world of hatred, war, egoism, political discord and disagreements into one of love, peace and fraternal harmony.

I am sorry to say but some poetry associations in Malta are a static conglomeration of dummies rather then active defenders of workers, victims, the homeless, drug addicts, poor bodies (or buddies) and souls and peace. For example, who is bothering about what is happening in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and so on? Who is bothering about Hizbollah and other crimes inflicting great pain on humanity? Poetry is not a lullaby but words born out of blood, tears, rage and other sentiments.