Poet Carmel Attard died in 1994 at the age of 51. He was known for his protest poetry and the deep insight shown in his reflections. He published two books of lyrics, Taħt qillet ix-Xemx in 1972 and Lampara published in 1980. A selection of his unpublished work is being published by Horizons together with a biography of the poet written by his friend Paul P. Borg. The book entitled ...maqful fil-ħabs ta' ġbini..., aptly called by the biographer using a phrase from the poet's own lyrics to indicate the life-long anxiety that afflicted the poet, imprisoning him as it were in his thoughts emanating from mental suffering.

Being close friends with Attard since early childhood all through the poet's turbulent life Borg is able to trace and recount incredible episodes in life's ups and downs that created inevitably profound poetry exposing the human soul to the suffereing stemming from the illusions that life can bring about. Borg is able to depict the brave endeavours of his gentle friend in his attempts to be accepted by a society that would not shed easily its stigma, castigating those needing special care or those who were brave enough to take decisons in their intimate personal life especially where love is concerned.

These characteristics, existing not so many years ago and which society has not yet freed itself completely from, were challenged by Attard. His life and his poetry show glaring truths: a Christian society is not necessarily a kind or charitable society that abolishes stigma easily. Christian traditions and education do not necessarily result in a society that easily accepts diversity and minorities. It is on the other hand, these same avandgardist stances that paradoxically render his poetry so beautiful, expressive and unique in the Maltese Literature. Indeed, it is likely that the local scene has yet to establish the distinctive niche Attard deserves in Literature. Borg insists that there is nothing that separates poetry from Attard, poetry was not only his real companion, but his own self. His very life was one whole poem, including every single episode as a discourse of his existence.

In this biography, Paul P. Borg describes scenes that take him with his friend and his inseparable poetry from the childhood years of an eight-year old, all through a never ending adolescence, to uncover the human drama that unfolds at San Anton's gardens, in the sitting room or in the streets of Qawra and Ħal Balzan, at Mount Carmel Hospital, or at the place of work. Borg follows his friend's constant passion and obsession in quest of an ever-deluding love. Paul P. Borg contends that Carmel Attard and his unique verse show how inevitable it is for true poetry as a living art to become a sincere reflection of life and the society from which it springs.