For the last several months I have been occasionally taking the time to go to local poetry readings in Malta.

Palk Ħieles/Open Mic hosted by Inizjamed was a great place to sit back and listen to local and international poets speak their mind. It allowed me time to experiment with my photography, promote my work and to sometime stand up and say some lines of exotic poetry.

I am shy and introverted but over the years of working in this crazy medium of art I developed an outward need of expression. I do it because I want to have no regrets. No thoughts of me holding back my emotions and to just say what I feel is right within me. It is liberating, exciting and has always produced a great rush.

For the particular Open Mic it was in the middle of the The Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival which is another several day event geared towards informing the public about the great literature in Malta and all over the world. It was the first time I was in attendance and it was great to go to.

The longer I spend in Malta the more my eyes are open to the many creative events taking place all year round.

Mark M.