Erika Brincat

Malta born lawyer and poet Erika Brincat is the author of three books of poems: ‘Gateway to Infinity’ is about mystery, magic and love while ‘The Bridge between Heaven and Earth’ is an account of her travels in Malta, Atlantis, Egypt and India. ‘Leela’s Game’ is her latest publication. Earlier this year she had a conversation with the late journalist Julian Manduca. She gave him an account of her views on sprituality, eroticism and writing poetry:

Every individual should have the freedom to create their own religion, incorporating all that is in tune with them. Modern day lives have become so complicated, so intricate, we need to recreate our own guidelines. But no, I don’t follow any particular spiritual direction. For me it’s not about choosing between Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or Paganism but embracing all of them in some way. The essential message remains the same. Anything that celebrates life and adds some spice to it is spiritual in itself. Some people don’t philosophise about it, don’t write or read about it - they simply dance it, enjoy it and live it!..

I started off writing poetry purely for myself. It just happened. If I did not put pen to paper I would not be able to sleep - I would be a very restless soul! But then something propelled me to share them and I have no regrets whatsoever. Some poems are purely personal, others are universal, and anyone can relate to them in their own way. I like to think we are immortal beings having a temporary experience! Why bottle up all our fears and emotions till they poison us inside? Better to express them, to share them, release them and let them go..

Frans Sammut wrote about you: “The young poet strives to explain her feelings and ideas by making use of myths carrying erotic connotations precisely by deriving lofty spiritual meanings from their voluptuousness.” What can you tell us about the erotic qualities of your poetry? Life would be very dry if it had no love, no eroticism in it! In essence we are all sexual beings. Both men and women yearn to be whole, and naturally eroticism has a great part to play in that. If poetry is the yearning of the soul, than without doubt it will have some erotic qualities to it. It seems I have managed to avoid the question! Maybe the poetry speaks for itself...

Frans Sammut on Erika Brincat