The author of 30 Bits of Silver, Michael Boffa (born in 1958), has already published two poetry books titled Broken Wings in 2018 and Forsaken in 2022. His many interests include reading, writing, photography and travelling. He enjoys outdoor activities especially scuba diving, trekking and kayaking.

The Forward to this book of poetry is written by Anna Pullicino who writes: "This is a testament to the betrayal of the common good of our people by our own. Nature is essential to the well-being of the population and it has been shamelessly assaulted and ruthlessly violated to a point of no return. The money god rules supreme to our detriment and that of future generations. In 30 Bits of Silver, Michael Boffa expresses his indignation with energy and vigour while looking back with nostalgia at the not so distant past when timely warnings were ignored.

'Yet beauty shines for those who seek

 The sun-bleached hill, the shady vale

 The hardy bush high on the peak

Flowers growing bright and frail.'

The author seeks refuge from the concrete invasion in the remaining stunning seascapes photographed in nostalgic monochrome. The iconic scenery becomes a spiritual journey and a sanctuary where courage to react becomes possible and necessary... We live in times when what is unjust, unethical and illegitimate has taken on a shroud of normality, sanctioned by the powers that be and their shortsighted supporters.
The time has come to pick up the gauntlet."

In the preface Michael Boffa writes: "Thirty Bits of Silver is the story of a nation sold, a state where greed and corruption have led to the environmental deprivation of a once beautiful island. With a total area of 316 square kilometres, Malta is one of the smallest archipelagos in the world. It is also the most densely populated country in Europe, home to over 530,000 people. Land is a finite commodity and the countryside is disappearing at an alarming rate...

The verses together with the photographs in the book are divided into the four seasons of the year. Spring and summer describe the charm and allure of our land and seascape, autumn and winter reflect the anger and frustration which all of us who love our country feel..."

Astrid Vella, that warrior for the environment and coordinator for Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), writes about this organisation which was established as an NGO in 2006 and has been campaigning for the better preservation and use of Maltese heritage, not only for the sake of preservation but also as an agent of social regeneration. It has had many achievements and "Most importantly when FAA was set up citizens felt powerless to change things; however, our lobbying has changed that perception, and with FAA's support citizens' grassroots groups are being set up to the benefit of residents all over the Maltese islands."

Thank you Astrid. May FAA long thrive.

I enjoyed both the poetry and the photos, taken by the author. He dedicated the book to "all future generations. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the present."

Let me quote  a couple of the poems:

Malita

This tiny rock I call my home

Surely is the navel of the earth!

Not much space for one to roam

And only blue bloods own their birth!

This is a space of constant tension

Where all is either black or white

Far too much for me to mention

As sure as day turns into night!

Each way you look on every stone

There's history etched in sweat and blood

Yet concrete is poured on hallowed bone

To nip all protest in the bud!

Magic lives out on the cliff

Just watch her swaying in the breeze

Fills the sails of my wee skiff

This is where I feel at ease!

But when I look towards the shore

Tears roll right down my face

What I see hits to the core

Ghettos sprout in every space!

***

Mġarr Ix-Xini

There's a place down by the sea

I like to go time after time

All by myself just to be free

For a trek sometimes to climb...

In raging gales form north to west,

This tiny port they'd stop to moor

To slay and plunder was their quest

Thought that none would find their spoor!

But looking down from high above

The guardian stood so tall and proud

A shield held tight in armoured glove

To sound a warning clear and loud...

Must catch my breath I'll stop awhile

To suck in deep this briny air

Then brace myself to walk the aisle

I'm young again without a care!

The molten rocks so smooth and warm

Make me feel I am at home

Where I can ride through any storm

And find myself the space to roam!

Here I'll stay to watch the ocean

I'll hear the sound of breaking waves

Go back and forth in constant motion

In and out of marine caves!

I enjoyed reading Michael Boffa's poetry and also looking at his black and white photos. The poems are easy to understand and many reflect what so many of us are thinking. He speaks for many.

In Building Frenzy he writes ..."

I try to find one single tree

But all that's left is a concrete mass

Where nothing lives there's naught to see

With not one single blade of grass!"

My one criticism is the cover of the book. It is totally irrelevant to the contents. Moreover the name of the author is not even on it. Perhaps the artist has some hidden meaning when it comes to having a naked woman on the cover of a poetry book about the environment. But it has escaped me. Thank goodness the inside of the book is very rewarding. I have put it on my bedside table. Such an easy book to dip into. One meaningful poem at a time.

'Thirty Bits of Silver' costs €15. All proceeds from the sale of this publication will be donated to FAA. It can be purchased from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, 23, St Anne Str, Floriana, phone 99995409 or 99846088.