Home / Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest
The Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest is the most prestigious prize for a single unpublished poem in Maltese. Judged anonymously by a new jury each year, entries are evaluated on authenticity, imagination, voice, and originality. Winners are announced at an official ceremony during Malta Book Festival.
The call for the 2025 Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest will be open between 13 May and 14 July 2025.
Interested applicants are invited to submit an unpublished original poem in the Maltese language, not exceeding 36 lines in length, through the online application form by the closing date of the call.
Applicants are encouraged to read the Regulations in their entirety before making their submission.
The results for the 2025 edition will be announced on 7 November 2025.
Author: Carmel Scicluna
Lil Luna Luul
Hemm ħniex fin iħaffer ħafif il-ħofor f’qalb pajjiżna jixheb u jogħlob … ħniex li ma narawhx avolja nbiddlu n-nuċċalijiet: ‘mma narawh fl-infern tiegħek bla ħoss u jħeġġeġ ħajtek ħuġġieġa. Nisimgħuk tirrakkonta tħajjarna niftakru fix-xaħam żejjed imrambel f’ruħna. Ixxennaqna għal għamla ta’ ħniex jitħanxel li jeħġem ix-xaħam u jeħġem sa jgerrem anki l-lega tat-tiżliġ mar-rita li xi darba kienet limpida, li tant għandna bżonn tkun limpida. Imbagħad hemm il-ħniex irqiq irqiq tal-uġigħ jinbaram kattiv f’forma ta’ fjuri jfuħu jiffjorixxu li qalbek żagħżugħa tnibbet, u aħna nippruvaw nifhmu x’jiġifieri: ommok arrestata għalxejn b’xejn mill-militar, u sena sħiħa kkalzrata lilhinn minnek; missierek imkeċċi għalxejn b’xejn mix-xogħol mill-bażużli tal-gvern korrott s’għarqubu; il-ħarbien - mixi fuq mixi mill-Eritrea sas-Sudan; eluf ta’ nakfa għall-karozza mis-Sudan għas-Sahara sal-fruntiera, w eluf għall-but tal-coyote mqit li sarmek fil-Libja, w għad-dgħajsa tal-ħniena b’mija u sebgħin ħolqien t’Alla bla ħobż u bla ilma sakemm ħbiebek u qrabatek tgħannqu wieħed wara l-ieħor, waħda wara l-oħra, mal-qroll tal-qiegħ mediterranju, sakemm wasalt hawn, kważi mejta, f’dil-gżira tal-ħofor fejn ninnegaw miżegħda ħniex imħaxxen iħannex ruħna; fejn inbiddlu n-nuċċalijiet, nibqgħu ma narawx ċar. Ċar id-dmugħ f’għajnejk int u tirrakkonta dan kollu, għażiża Luna.
Carmel Scicluna is a Maltese writer known for his thought-provoking works that delve into complex societal issues. His debut novel, Ossessjoni (2013), explores the challenging theme of paedophilia, earning critical acclaim for its mature and insightful handling of the subject. In 2014, he published Il-Kummidjanti tal-Parlament, further establishing his reputation in Maltese literature.
His poetry collection, L-Ambjent li Qeridna: Poeżiji (2017-2020), won the National Book Prize in 2021, reflecting his engagement with environmental themes. In 2023, Scicluna’s poem ‘Ħniex’ was awarded first prize in the Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest, marking his second win in this competition. Throughout his writings, Scicluna has consistently challenged societal norms, prompting readers to reflect on moral and ethical questions.
Author: Louis Briffa
1Maqbud fis-sotterran ta’ dawn l-istrofi ma rrid naħbilek xejn.Kont ili żmien li qtiltek. ’Mma llum tlajtli fil-wiċċ.Il-qraba dejjem ħasbu li fik fittixt biss l-ombra tal-imħabba.Bixkilla margeriti u peonji tal-kompassjoni ħasbuha lil imħabbti.Ħasbuha kenn mill-mewġ tas-solitudni jew forsi att platon’ku.Kemm kienu ’l bogħod mis-sewwa, ’qas ħadd ma seta’ jobsru.Mir-relazzjoni tagħnaħallejna l-impressjoni ta’ fantażma lewn il-borra fuq sodda Vittorjana.2Ħassejt illum li għandi nħott il-faċċoliżmu tiegħi,bħal garża tinfaxxali dal-wiċċ bla espressjoni.Ilsienek rimja roża fil-lelà, la ġenba bejn xofftejk,fakkarni fil-ballottra li biċċirt b’tir ta’ xkubetta.Qallibni d-demm. Bellahni.L-att herrieni.3Int kont is-subà vili jippuntali lejn il-klawsura.Iċ-ċaħda tas-sbuħija, tat-tenerezza timida, għalija.Il-fjamma mill-ġeħenna li għażilt.Le, qatt ma għaġinna l-kompliċità bejnietna!’Qas darba ma tħabbejna taħt id-doċċa, jew morna nqallbu l-ġebel għall-bebbux. L-aridità saċ-ċoff tar-rabta tagħna qarqċitilna! 4 Konn’avversarji denji tal-bestja ta’ Melville u l-kaptan Aħab. Blood pressure cuff ma’ jdejk subgħajja kienu jagħfsu ta’ kull darba li l-għadab issikkajt fl-iris t’għajnejja. Ma nafx kif ma xejħukx il-prietki silenzjużi li kont ninsiġlek b’sengħa. Sakemm ilsieni mtela bi wġigħ ieħor, u qtiltek, kif int xtaqt. 5 Kultant narak għaddejja tiżliġa mill-faċċetti ta’ vażun, u wrajk il-fjammi li qatt ma dehru qabel. In-nar jikkonsma njama fil-fuklar bħalkieku sħaba mqanfda candyfloss. Niggosta l-aħħar qtar tal-aniżett. Minn ġewwa nħoss il-ħruq t’eluf ta’ lighters flint imxejra mixgħulin bħal meta konna mmorru f’xi kunċert tar-rock klassiku. F’għajnejja s-sikta ċomba. L-istess profondità li int kont taf. L-istess spirall vjolenti lejn l-imrar.
Born in Attard, Malta, in 1971, Louis Briffa began writing poetry at the age of nine, viewing it as a fundamental means to express life’s emotional currents. His debut collection, “Bil-Varloppa” (2006), encompasses poems written between 1985 and 2005, and employs metaphors related to craftsmanship to highlight the meticulous nature of his poetic process. Esteemed figures like Oliver Friggieri have lauded him as a “poet of love,” while Sergio Grech emphasized Briffa’s ability to distill personal experiences into verse. Environmental themes in his work have also garnered attention, with Alan Deidun describing his poetry as a heartfelt plea against the degradation of natural heritage.
Beyond his writing, Briffa has significantly contributed to Malta’s literary scene. He served as the literary editor for the weekly newspaper “KullĦadd” from 1994 to 1998 and produced the PBS literary program “Nixxiegħa.” As president of the Għaqda Letterarja Maltija between 2007 and 2008, he further promoted Maltese literature. His subsequent publications include “The Tale of a Grasshopper and a Tomato and Other Poems” (2009), a bilingual edition with translations by Rose Marie Caruana, and “Bil-Boqxiex” (2018), which compiles poems from 2006 to 2017. Briffa’s contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Premju Letterarju Patri Marjanu Vella and the Premju Ġieħ Ġużè Aquilina.
Author: Matteo Pullicino
Mindu tlaqt Berlin ma fadal xejn minnek,Pa, ħlief aċċent fuq ilsien strangier.
Nammetti, ilek ilsien strangier, Kbir wisq biex joqgħod fil-wisa' ta' ħalqi.
Irġiel mingħajr kunjom jitħanxlu f'ħalqi—Dal-ġnien pubbliku f'satra ta' lejl.
F'ġonna pubbliċi fis-sakra tal-lejl, Blajt irġiel mejta għal tħaddina.
Naf iħirsa mejta għal tħaddinaBħalma dellek jagħti 'l-qabar missierek.
Meta rajtek togħrok qabar missierek Sirt naf kif taf tħobb—f'skiet imbaskat.
Ma nafx qattx se nħobbu das-skiet imbaskat,Anke jekk ma jifdalx ħliefu minnek.
Matteo was born and raised in Malta, where he received a B.A. (Hons) in Maltese with English, and an M.A. in Film Studies at the University of Malta. His works have been featured in the anthologies Antoloġija 1 (Aphroconfuso, 2024) and Iż-Żmien Kurjuż taż-Żgħożija (Fondazzjoni HELA & Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, 2023). His poetry has also been exhibited at Spazju Kreattiv with his installation, “Mill-Korsija ta’ Ġisem Minxur [From the Stream of a Hanging Body],” as part of the Europride 2023 exhibition, The Wind Blows… Waves In All Directions.
Matteo Pullicino’s most recent publication, Dal-ġisem ma nafx nafdahx [I don’t know if I trust this body] (Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, 2024) is a chapbook exploring childhood anxieties in a series of vignettes.
Author: Leanne Ellul
Leanne Ellul is a Maltese poet and novelist who’s work has received various accolades. Her debut novel, Gramma (2014), offers a poignant exploration of adolescent challenges and garnered the Novels for Youth Literary Contest in 2014, which she won once again in 2023 with her manuscript Be;n il-Kmiem. In 2016, Ellul published her first poetry collection, L-Inventarju tal-Kamra l-Kaħla, further establishing her voice in Maltese literature. As a playwright, she was recognized with the Premju Francis Ebejer, and the staging of her play Ma Rridx Immur at the Manoel Theatre.
Ellul has also written and translated numerous works of fiction and educational materials for younger readers. Her writings have been featured in various online platforms, journals, and anthologies.
Author: Miriam Calleja
Għal Presque Isle ta’ Louise Gluck
xi mkien ħames minuti mill-baħar hemm kamra żgħira inti l-baħar dik l-inti li tinkiteb fil-poeżiji isaqsuni fuqek
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++tipika tiegħek ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ li tgħix f’dawn l-ispazji
f’din il-poeżija bħalek ++++++ tiegħekkamra żgħira xi mkien f’kull int ħames minuti minnek il-baħar +++++++++++++++++ kamra / +++++ xi mkien +++++ / +++++ baħaril-poeżija tintebaħ fik.
Miriam Calleja is an award-winning Pushcart-prize nominee poet, writer, editor, workshop leader, and translator. Her poetry collections and chapbooks are Pomegranate Heart (EDE Books, 2015), Inside Skin (a two-book series in collaboration with a lith photographer, EDE Books 2016), Remember (Stamparija Reljic, 2020), Luftmeer (self-published in collaboration, Maastrich Holland, 2021), Stranger Intimacy (Stamparija Reljic, 2020), and Come Closer, I Don’t Mind the Silence (BottleCap Press, 2023).
Calleja has been published in Humana Obscura, plume, Dandelion Scribes, Modern Poetry in Translation, LEON literary press, and elsewhere. Her work has been translated into Italian, Arabic, Slovene, Greek, Romanian, French, German, Norwegian, and Frisian, among others. Her work in translation has been published in the collection Correnti Incrociate 2 (Mosaique Press, 2022), Il-Ħsad Tal-Peprin (Horizons, 2024), Anthology of Young Maltese Poets (Vakxikon, 2019), Wara Settembru (2018, Slovene Writers Association), and elsewhere.
Author: Jasmine Bajada
poġġejt idi fuq il-qafas ta’ sidrek u ħassejt qalbek tibbalzma ma’ kull tajra maħsuda f’poża li rajna bejn ħġieġ kiesaħ —
rajn’arpa fuq zokk li ilu s-snin ma jduq ix-xita
u garnija ttir ittir taħt xmux artifiċjali f’sema simulakru …
is-silenzju tiegħi qrajtu għax kien kompliċi ma’ tagħhom —
ma stajtx inwiegħdek li xi darba għad tar’hom imħabbla fil-friegħi tal-għargħar
u ma sibtx il-kuraġġ ngħidlek dak li kont taf diġà —
dawn mhumiex għasafar Maltin
Jasmine Bajada is a poet. Her first collection, ilsien selvaġġ, was published by Horizons in 2023. Some of her poetry has appeared in various literary journals, including Modern Poetry in Translation and Mediterranean Poetry. She graduated in literary criticism and English literature, and her research interests include nature writing, ecological poetry and eco-criticism. Her academic writings have appeared in international journals such as CounterText and Fourth Genre.
Author: Therese Pace
Therese Pace is an acclaimed Maltese poet known for her contributions to literature in Maltese and Italian. She has published two poetry collections in Maltese, including Arpeggi, which won the Malta National Book Award in 2004, as well as Sfumature in Italian. Her work also extends to children’s literature and educational materials, such as Naqraw u Nirrimaw and Siltastorja: Tahrig il-Fehem. Her writings have been featured in various international anthologies and translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and Esperanto.
Pace’s poetry has garnered numerous accolades, including the European Union title in the 2013 Poetry Ireland / Poetry International Competition and victories in the 2012 and 2013 National Poetry Contest of the Maltese Poets Association. She received the Nosside Medal at the 2014 Premio Mondiale di Poesia Nosside and earned a diploma at the Premio Letterario Internazionale di Poesia, Racconto e Fotografia “Juan Montalvo.” Her earlier achievements include winning the 2007 Concorso Internazionale Poesia e Immagine and multiple awards at the Premio Letterario Internazionale “Tra Le Parole e l-Infinito.” She was honored with the Medal of the Maltese Poets Association in 2011 and the Unur Birkirkara award in 2014, celebrating her literary influence and cultural impact.
Author: Jonathan Balzan
Bejn sema u ilmail-lotta tiegħek,itterter fuq dingiinnumerat.Jikxefir-ramel finbejn subgħajk,il-bajjali minnha ħrabt.Flok mewta martriġismek ikkruċifissajtbil-prezz imħallaslejn l-art imwiegħda,lanqas bit-teleskopjuma’ tarahafl-orizzont jitgerbeb.Kull tisbita immewġali trigħedlek l-istonkutama tlumfl-iżbark qarriebifi tmiemdal -vjaġġ iddolorat.Għalissa,in-nixfa immellħafuq xufftejkittiegħemis-salvazzjonital-ġenna tistenniek.Xejn u ħadddin ma joħodlok,storja kbirata’ ftit kliem.
Jonathan Balzan is a Maltese poet and marathon runner from Siġġiewi. In 2003, he won the National Poetry Competition organized by the Għaqda Poeti Maltin. Balzan has published four poetry collections: Irdieden (2013), Kilometri (2015), Madwar Ħajti (2018), and Meta ssibni waħdi (2021). His experiences as a long-distance runner have earned him the nickname “Il-Poeta tal-Kilometri” (Poet on the run). Balzan’s work has been featured in various anthologies and critical studies on contemporary Maltese poetry. He has also achieved success in marathon running both in Malta and abroad, for which he received an honorary award from the Siġġiewi Local Council.
Author: Ritianne Frendo
“Innota li l-ħarifa hija aktar staġun ta’ ruħna,milli staġun tan-natura!” - Friedrich Nietzsche
bil-mod il-modbexxaqt għajnejja,mat-tektik u t-taħbit mat-tieqa mbexxqa ta’ kamartistenbaħt għal jum li ma sebaħ qatttbissimli l-kannella jqarmeċ u sellem l-vjaġġ inutli tiegħi…u mar jinġabar f’rokna jisfuma mal-oranġjou tħallat mal-aħdar niexef jitrembel fl-għafja tal-mewt,iggranfaw id f’id taħt xemx bajda f’moħba mqanżħau ttantaw jiżfnu.U siktuma’ dil-ħarifa-ħrafa.Għebet fgata għanjet il-grillumarret ‘il bogħod fejn sħab tqil li jrid inissel dmugħumbikkem b’geddumu griżjirtogħod,iħares ċass lejn dil-imħabba-ħrafa
anke l-għasafar m’azzardawx illum ipespsu,tnaffru, rixhom tberfel,għax semgħu lil hinn passi tqal ikaxkru għażż,passi b’ħarsithom vojtalejn kurċifiss li baqa’ b’rasu baxxutail-kurċifiss li njora ‘l ħarstitani dahru u dmugħi ma mesaħx.Kollox siket.Ħaġa waħda tissokta.Waħda biss.Tissokta mħabbti lejk.Il-poeżija tagħna…għax għadna jien u int.Jekk mal-ħarifa jiskot kollox..tamitna le
Ritianne Frendo is a Maltese poet recognized for her contributions to contemporary Maltese literature. She was awarded second prize in the 2021 Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest for her poem “Mas-Sikta tal-Ħarifa.” Previously, in 2019, she secured third prize in the same contest with her poem “Preludju mħarbat.” Frendo’s work is celebrated for its authentic voice and imaginative expression, reflecting the vitality of modern Maltese poetry. Since 2024 she serves as the President of the Għaqda Qarrejja tal-Provi tal-Malti.
Ma fadalx wisq xi ngħid
++++++++++++++++++ la t-tfal
++++++++++++++++++++++++ bdew
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ jegħrqu.
Kienu bosta l-profeti Ii ħabbrulna:
Kont hemm u rajt il-bżieżaq f'wiċċ il-baħar.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Mewġ qalil se jobrom: għallmu ż-żgħar jgħumu!"
L-aqwa ġenitur ma jsibx tarf dan l-ilma.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Għax kont hemm -
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ kont naf ...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ġenitur -
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ifhmuni.
Issa l-ulied
+++++++++ niżlu
++++++++++++++ taħt l-ilma
++++++++++++++++++++++++ mqalleb:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ inutli nibqgħu
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ fuq il-fond
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ intanbru.
Kondoljanzi 'I dawn l-ommijiet
+++++++++++++++++++++++++bla ħtija.
Kondoljanzi 'I kull missier Ii ma tgħallimx
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ is-sinjali tal-qilla ta' traġedja
++++++++ta' forza akbar minna u ħażina,
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Li kienet ilha riesqa f'dawn l-inħawi.
Jonqosni mmur f'kamritha
+++++++++++++++++++++ nitfi l-lampa;
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ il-kutri l-bojod
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Li saħħnuha
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ nitwi.
Niġbor go borża kbira
++++++++++++++++++ l-ġugarelli.
Flok binti
+++++++++npinġi stampa
+++++++++++++++++++++ bi lwien jgħajtu.
Author: Glen Calleja
Fis-sagħtejn ta’ filgħodu qomtnoqtollok nemusa. U xrobt belgħ’ilmamis-sink tal-kċina.
Is-sena li żvujtatilna jdejnanafuha biss minn ġiex ritratti.
Konn’ għadna miżżewġin. Kull lejl inti titlaq.Inti titlaq in-nuċċali għami fuq il-komodina u jiennagħmilulek lura f’postu. Mhuxse taqa’ d-dinja.
Erġajt spiċċajtirqadt fuq il-pultruna tal-ġilda.Erġajt ikkonfermajtlek li l-invit wasallibħal bugħawwieġ ta’ mħabba.
Glen Calleja is a Maltese artist mainly interested in poetry and the book as object. His artistic work often involves alternative book structures, found content and performative elements. In his writing and artistic work, Calleja often explores issues relating to the passage from boyhood to manhood and the politics and perceptions of masculinity. In his poetry, he regularly recycles from earlier writings, re-proposing them in new forms, exhibiting a clear interest in emerging literary formats. On occasion, Calleja also integrates ‘found texts’ in his work. His poetry books include eki t’eki (2002), IR-RAĠEL (2010, 2012) and kull flgħaxija kif mal-għabex tnin u tmut saħħet il-jum (2014) and ‘Iswed Assolut’ a series of poetic variations dealing with moral spectatorship vis-a-vis migration.
Glen has led and participated in a number of interdisciplinary artistic projects. He is the co-founder of Studio Solipsis, a cultural venue operating since 2017 where events, workshops, gatherings and exhibitions are held. Studio Solipsis is also home to Calleja’s bookbinding business, Kotba Calleja, to Giola Cassar’s photography studio and to two voluntary organisations Fondazzjoni HELA and Inizjamed.
Author: Claudia Gauci
Warajk, id-dawl imminenti li jmut.B’gost klandestin għajnejja jisirqu l-linjamenti ta’ wiċċekjitgħallmuhom b’urġenza, bl-amment, malajrf’dil-lejla fraġli tal-ebanu, taħraq bħan-nifsijietżgħar u trasparenti fl-ispazju għarqanbejn ħarstek u ħarsti.Jien is-sajf, għidtli.Għamiltni minn kustilja ħsibijiet.Ma’ kull pinzellata safra u kaħla ċappastbiċċiet minni fuq it-tila sakemm sirtstorja għalik, tafha inti biss.Forsi, xi darba, tgħidhieli u nkun bilqiegħda maġenbek.Il-merżuq li fadal jirtira bil-lajmaminn fuq il-komma riħa ta’ melħmaż-żiffa kordjali fuq ix-xtajta.Int il-ħarifa. Qatt m'għidtlek.Għajnejk masġar.Fid-dinja mistħajla tagħhomjien u intweraq oranġjo u isfar u aħmar(minn dak li hawn ma jitfaċċa qatt).L-istejjer tiegħi miegħek nibnihom waħdi fi mkejjen tar-ramel.Nindukrahom ileqqu fil-memorja ta’ tazza rari gin tonic jewbewsa misruqa qalb il-karozzi pparkjati.
L-aħħar dawl jogħtor ma’ għonq il-qmis bajda (tixraqlek wisq)imisslek għonqok u wiċċek, jidħol fil-masġar,Ridt ngħidlek li ħadtek fit-toroq ta’ belt barranijafejn żbaljajtha kull filgħodu l-memorja tiegħekfuq kuċċarina ħsibijiet zokkor f’lukandafejn kollox ta’ darba fejn ma bżajtx noħolmok.
jixegħlu prinjoli għajnejk qabel jgħibIs-skiet bejnietna sikka qed tikber f’nofs dal-baħar sajfi.Ma’ Settembru jisfali kollox skiet u tifkiriet.u jidlam f’daqqa.
Claudia Gauci is a Maltese poet, translator, and author known for her poetry collections Sekonda Qabel Tqum (2012), and Max-Xatt tat-Tamarisk (2022). Her poetry is featured in multiple languages, including Maltese and English. She also edited Poetic Potatoes (2018), an international poetry exchange project.
Gauci has translated numerous works, including Orkubellu (2022) and Orkubellu u l-ħtif ta’ Orkidea (2024) by Fabrizio Silei, as well as several picture books. She is currently working on her second poetry collection and a prose project.
Author: Klara Vassallo
12.00am tektik. nifsijiet skaduti.
12.14am is-sekondi għajjiena. għajjejthom. ġieli jaqbżu tnejn.
12.28am forsi niddendel miegħek. jew fik.
12.32am immiss il-feriti li ħallejtli int. nadurahom. għax baqgħu fija iżjed milli bqajt int.
12.45am forsi issa ninħabbu mas-skiet. skiet iswed. mal-kliem li għeb. kollox jgħib. kollox.
01.02am qisu tiegħek dad-dell. ifakkarni fik. ikkalibrat. inkubat. ikkundanat.
01.03am bija. vizzju ikrah, int. hekk kont. hekk int. hekk tibqa’.
01.11am nibla’ l-pirmli t’ismek. zolpidem. nifga’. jeħlu hemm. il-bżieq opak-virulenti u misbul jiżżerżaq ma’ geddumi. l-istess bħal meta mort fejn ħadtni u biestni u togħmtok ħaj f’ħalqi.
01.39am ad infinitum.
02.00am inwerżaq fl-imħadda. jew mingħajrha. jew taħtha. jew mgħallqa fiha.
02.01am inżaqżaq. meta naqbad l-imqass u naqta’ l-karti fi qlub żgħar – niżvinahom.
02.14am jien nafek. nafni. nafni jien. taf int? li nixtieq inbuslek kitfejk. ġwenħajk li qatt ma tfasslu.
02.30am leħnek idur fl-aħħar żbalji tiegħi. fl-intriċċi tagħna, jew dawk li ħloqtilna.
02.31am se tispiċċa fix-xejn. dalwaqt. nispiċċa. nispiċċaw – mgħammda mid-dwejjaq.
02.35am mingħalija li kien hawn is-skiet sakemm kien hawn is-skiet. it-twerżiqa tiegħek staġnata fil-ħajt.
02.39am idejk ġabu s-skiet. u d-dlam jgħajjat miegħu. kollox tiegħek kien. sakemm ma kienx.
02.45am se tispiċċa. int biss. tgħum f’ilma ebbanu w tempestuż. hawn ġismi. hawn jien;
02.47am biex żżarmah-tadurah-tinkaxxah fi kliemek. kliemek sabiħ. nixorb u nisker bih.
02.50am ħallih sagħtejn oħra hawn kliemek, biex inżarmah-nadurah-ninkaxxah. fija. fik. fina.
02.53am xejn ma naf minnek. tiġi u titlaq. qisu qatt ma konna. nibla’ l-pinnoli t’is mek. rozerem.
02.55am insoffok, kieku nista’. bħal m’ommok tgħid li kont tagħmel.
02.56am erba’ minuti oħra fadallek sa ma titmermer f’ittri. tiġrix iżjed. m’hemmx għalfejn tgħodd iżjed.
02.57am disgħa sebgħa ħamsa tlieta wieħed.
02.58am għoddni. imma jien qatt mhu se nkun biżżejjed numri.
02.59am 10mg. dejjem. zolpidem/rozerem. rajthom? jirrimaw il-pirmli t’ismek. poeżija li traqqadni, ismek. għanja li ġġennini, ismek. xi darba kien. tiegħi. tiegħek. tagħna. ismek.
03.00am jiġi jżurni l-ġenn. ta’ meta nkun ġo fik.
Klara Vassallo (2003) studies Maltese (Hons.) at the University of Malta, where she also served on the student committee of the Għaqda tal-Malti. She is a dancer and creator and writes poetry in Maltese, sometimes experimenting with bilingual poetry. In 2020, Klara won the Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest organised by the National Book Council. She continues to work on her writing, testing the thematic and stylistic confinements and exploring all the ways she can create art out of herself.
Author: Jesmond Sharples
jiena xaqq bejn blajjet imbaqqnail-grass bejn is-samrotti li bija jżomm kolloxjekk nagħżel li noqgħod f’posti…jiena l-ħolm skolpit fl-irħam ta’ destin klandestin;l-id il-kirurgu nervuż jislet tessut miġruħ, mixquqb’nofs qalb u rieda ipoplasika u fjakka…
jiena d-demm-dlam niġri fl-arterji ta’ rdum li djieqindammem il-fdal imfarrak ta’ ħajtinibki s-sema kiebi li darba żrieq,u li issa blieq f’għamieq ta’ diq…
jiena x-xaqq li minkejja li mgħerreq fl-irdumbl-għeruq iserrpu u jberrnu l-blat kuljum;jiena l-qsim li jorbot, jirfed kollox,fissuri-ħbula li jgħinuk tqum…
jiena xaqq wieħed biss f’nassa tax-xaqqnillixka, nissajja għal vopa tħuf f’qiegħ ta’ baħar iddisprat;noffri kenn lill-ġenn intamatta’ min ma jridx jaf bis-sewwa u l-ħaqq…
Jien tabilħaqq xaqq f’nisġa xaqqijietwieħed fost folla-mijietl’għadni nemmen fil-ħmerijietta’ min joħlom li jiddeponi r-rejiet…jien xaqq f’stabbilment imxaqqaq,il-grass bejn is-samrottili jorbot il-ħnejja tal-ġmiegħi korrottijekk nagħżel li noqgħod f’posti…
Jesmond Sharples’ journey into poetry began with a publication in a church pamphlet during his childhood. His work delves into profound human experiences such as love, death, grief, innocence, and life’s journey, encouraging readers to engage with these universal narratives in a way that honors tradition while remaining relevant to contemporary contexts. His poetry reflects a deep awareness of the existential burdens and cultural inheritances that shape human existence.
In his 2019 poetry collection, “Ra,” published by Klabb Kotba Maltin, Sharples draws inspiration from the ancient Egyptian sun deity, Ra, acknowledging the enduring presence of mythology in our collective consciousness. His first anthology, “Il-Qtar li Nħobb” (Horizons, 2016), arranges poems into sections representing different times of day, each introduced by a haiku, mirroring musical movements and scientific categorization. Through his work, Sharples emphasizes that our rich and varied past as a species provides valuable insights into our current identity.
U meta jiġi l-waqt li mmur għal dejjemb’idejk li nħobb f ’idejja rrid immur –idejk li merħu fl-irjiħat għalija.Ostorni, nimploralek,t’elf memorja ta’ ġismek ġo tebuti. b’silwettitgħix irridek, ja borka tal-maġija. ’Mma lilekfl-isbaħ nagħsa, Minn qabri,nistenniek. bis-sabartiġi żżurni U metafuqi rrid li nerġa’ nħoss, lil nifsekl-anemone nxomm minn ġismek. u fwieħetjitbexxaq fjur il-ġmiel Jekk minn xofftejku jittawwalli f ’qabrili tkun int li ġejt iżżurni. nintebaħgħal dejjem,
2.
U meta mmurta’ spiss nagħmlu kif konnasodalit, taħt kwiekebfuq ir-ramel Tal-Mixquqa, mur imxil-mewġ itella’ u isma’imqalla’ l-alka mill-qiegħta’ rixtellu bħal viregmill-ilma jispuntawlewnhom klaret… b’dakl-gawwi jwerżaq Mur isma’għall-irtirata fil-ġabra tal-fissuri… għajjienkollu ħass mur isma’ jżaqżaq Il-ħabelmaż-żifna ta’ kajjik –bħall-għaqda tagħna l-malju tal-irmiġġ…
3.
u lili tesponini kif kont tafni Tgħix irridek,li jien sawwart għalik. bil-ġmiel krepuskolariBik ngħix mumenti isbaħ. Jagħrfuni fik.u nwiegħdek li mid-dwiem Tgħix irridek,nħobbok bl-istess imħabbabiex iniżżlu ta’ dak li s-semm ra x’għamelħdejn il-fjura ssaħħar u waqa’ mejjetta’ William Shakespeare.
'Hemm dnub li ma jinħafer qatt: il-qtil tal-imħabba - u l-qtil ta' ruħ ilbniedem. '(Henrik Ibsen, minn John Gabriel Borkman)
Hemm fjuri li waqgħu qabel infetħuhemm sillabi li tħarbtu qabel ingħaduhemm noti li stunaw qabel indaqquhemm ħsus li ġew abortiti qabel inkitbuhemm messaġġi li tqattgħu qabel intbagħtuhemm bieb u twieqi li ngħalqu u ma nfetħu qatt
hemm passi li qorbu u ma waslu qatt
imbagħad hemmimħabba li mietet qabel mellsitha x-xemx.U l-qamar għalxejn stennieha biex jilgħab magħhafit-toroq imwarrba tal-Empirew.
Issa ħajti ngħaddihaNiġbor it-tifkiriet.Il-fdalijiet.Fil-kjaroskur ta' kamra magħluqa.Inbati ndommhom f'poeżija li qatt ma ktibt.Nistenna l-passi jersqu. U t-taħbita.Niftaħ. Nittama li tkun hi.Il-poeżija.
Ma' zokk mixquq nissikka b'denbi ż-żmien,u nibbilanċja,u b'rasi 'l isfel nomgħod il-misteruli ħlief bl-istabbiltà f'dil-eżistenzama jħallimnix.
Mil-labirint ċafċiefi tal-memorja,elementari kif naċċessa s-seklili sparixxew għalikom.
Mgħaġġeż m'iniexgħalkemm taħsbuni hekk f'korazza preistorika —dil-qoxra bgħatx jixxuga sal-bajtar fuq il-pal.
Sospiż in-nar jitfernaq mal-buffuri tad-deżert, imewsu fija.
Lix-xemx twelidi nafuu xemx għad forsi nsir: jien nes qaqqari,abbandunat minn Alla li t-talb qatt m'għamel bih,avolja dal-menħir jixhed mod ieħor.
Aktar senswali jbusni nifs ir-riħminn meta mreddaq ngħaddi kisknijietu nħakkek fuq il-ħaġar konsagrat.
Splendidu s-skiet jitmattar f'qalbibl-għatx għaliH.
X'inhu dal-għatx terribbli?Raddiena l-mistoqsija,u marki ma tħallix,bħat-tubi distruttivita' fuq rasi,
jikwuni b'inċertezziġew', il-ġew…
Tqaddidt nistenna 'l Allamill-frugħ tad-duni jfeġġ… Għejejt nibdel kuluri u nidħol fi Ibies ġdid: xort'Hu ma jagħrafnix,
Minflok xbihetu jibq'Alla jiskjerali l-baħħ profond ta' xefaq lil hinn minni, u jien ma nistabarx!
Author: Nadia Mifsud
xejn għajr iż-żattit tal-lożor bejn riġlejna mħabblal-aħħar qtar tan-nida jiffissed ma' truf-il ħġieġJiżfen ma' kull nefħa riħil-purtieri jitħajmu fl-irtuba bajda tal-ewwel imrieżaqu aħna magħhom, imkebbin fis-sħana ta' xulxinħarira 'l fuq minn rasnanifsijietna sospiżi —dal-mument ma jeħtiġlux norqmuh bi kliembiżżejjed inqiegħed imnifsejja fin-nwejqa ta' taħt gerżumtekbiex nerġa' nsibek sħiħinħoss il-ħajja tħabbat fl-arterji ta' għonqoku jtini li nieħdok fejn l-arja għandha riħa ta' baħarfejn il-bużbież salvaġġ jikber bla rażanqatt rajt fjura tal-kappar? qatt doqt il-bajtar tax-xewk?xejn għajr sikta u mlusagħajnejk iżommu 'l tiegħi dawk il-ftit sekondi żejdagħajnejk mappa f'din l-hena usa', ġdida
Nadia Mifsud, born in Bormla, Malta, in 1976, is a poet, novelist, and translator who has resided in France since 1998. Her literary journey began with poetry, leading to the publication of her debut collection, żugraga (“Spinning Top”), in 2009. This was followed by Kantuniera ‘l Bogħod (” Just Around the Corner”) in 2015, which delves into themes of distance and perspective shifts. In 2021, she released Varjazzjonijiet tas-Skiet (“Variations of Silence”), further cementing her reputation in the Maltese literary scene. Her poetry often explores the intricacies of womanhood and personal experience, articulated with eloquence and visceral honesty.
Expanding her repertoire into prose, Mifsud published her first novel, Ir-rota daret dawra (kważi) sħiħa (“The Wheel Turned an (Almost) Full Circle”), in 2017. This was followed by a collection of short stories titled Żifna f’xifer irdum (“A Dance on the Edge of a Cliff”) in 2021. Her works have garnered critical acclaim, with Kantuniera ‘l Bogħod winning the National Book Prize for Poetry in 2016, and Varjazzjonijiet tas-Skiet receiving the same prize in 2022. Beyond her original writing, Mifsud has been the coordinator of the translation workshop at the annual Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival, fostering cross-cultural literary exchanges.