CarmelAttard

Attard had a lifelong passion for literature, particularly poetry. During his childhood and adolescence, he spent a lot of time with friends and future writers Paul P. Borg and Mario F. Bezzina, engaging in deep discussions about poetry and writing. His favourite poets included Dun Karm Psaila, Karmenu Vassallo and, especially, Rużar Briffa. Attard was an active member of several Maltese literary associations, including Għaqda Poeti Maltin (Association of Maltese Poets), Moviment Qawmien Letterarju (Movement for the Promotion of Literature) and Akkademja tal-Malti (Academy of Maltese).

Attard struggled with mental illness, leading to multiple admissions to psychiatric facilities throughout his life. He often found himself at odds with the prevailing norms of his time, questioning life, society and the meaning of God and religion. His introspective nature prevented him from dismissing or ignoring these issues, causing him to dwell on them obsessively. However, despite this inner turmoil, Attard deeply longed to fit in and lead a normal life, yearning for the stability and acceptance that eluded him. He was consumed by an intense craving for freedom: freedom to love as he wished, freedom from judgement and even freedom from his own thoughts.

This inner conflict is evident in his poem ‘Jekk tieqaf tgħix’ (‘If you stop living’). Attard claims that the moment you step outside of societal norms, both you and the world around you begin to change. He recognises that the path to being your true self is fraught with challenges and heartbreak. For some people, creating a persona that fits into society is not easy and often comes at great cost. However, he also questions whether this price is worth paying if it means escaping the torment of existential despair.

The sense of alienation is further emphasised in ‘Xita Novembrina’ (‘November Rain’). In this poem, Attard finds himself in the countryside, circling the outskirts of towns and villages that seem to call out to him. Yet he is unable to join the community. Unspoken despair, confusion, frustration and resignation permeate the poem as Attard never explicitly reveals what holds him back. Nevertheless, he knows he cannot enter, or is prevented from doing so. November, a month associated with death, may symbolise Attard’s perception of himself as a lost soul, forever wandering the periphery of life, unable to find shelter from the rain. He is the eternal outcast, striving to belong in a society that constantly rejects him.

Despite making an impact with his two publications, Carmel Attard has largely been overlooked and remains relatively unknown. This is unfortunate, as his work stands strong among that of his contemporaries and certainly deserves proper recognition.