After my first visit to Malta, I decided to pen a poem to share with your readers.

For years they quarried the yellow stone,

Gouging it from Malta’s tortured soil,

Building houses, churches, hospitals,

Strong defences against invasion.

Below the walled towns they tunnelled deep,

As a protection from bombardment,

Enduring every siege and air raid,

Each cruel act of brutal aggression.

And the knights inspired by chivalry,

Under eight pointed stars borne bravely,

Wrapped their cloaks reassuringly tight,

Around this their adopted island.

And they swore an oath of secrecy,

Of holiness and great mystery,

To defend the chosen land from harm,

From evil and all adversity.

■ David Subacchi

UK