Sound and sense in minor poets

Abstract

If we consider literature to be important or relevant we must ask "what is a poem?" The nature of a poem is tied to the poetic experience of each individual poet, in fact the question may be re-phrased to "what makes Mr X's poems?" This involves an examination of the poetic trance that might require some attention to the presentation of explanation and theory. However, the question may be answered (partially, at least) by considering the poet's attitude and frame of mind from his own compositions-waiving theory. Let's try to find an answer with Mario F. Bezzina in mind. His major literary concern is no doubt the writing of poems in which he is so productive that one wonders about the type of struggle with the imagination that occurs with every emerging poem. [excerpt]