Tiziana Ciola

1. How did you get started with haiku?

I have been writing poetry since I was very young. I first approached the world of haiku during my teaching career as a way to introduce my students to a poetic form different from our Western tradition. While Italian poetry often explores profound themes like love, death, and social issues through personal reflection, haikai poetry is quite different. It trains us to observe nature, to capture its essence, and to convey an emotion in just a few syllables without ever naming it directly. For many years, until my retirement, I focused on Western-style poetry and short stories, publishing a book titled Ondina di mare. Around 2021, I became passionate about Zen philosophy and the charm of the East. From that moment, writing haiku became a natural progression—a practice I continue to pursue every single day.

2. Tell us more about yourself.

I live in Borgo Valsugana, a small village in Northern Italy, but I am fortunate enough to own a cabin in the mountains, at Val di Sella, where I spend long periods completely immersed in nature. I hold a degree in foreign languages and literature and spent my career as an elementary school teacher. I have a thousand interests—I would need a different life for each one! I love reading, listening to music, playing chess, IT, cooking, knitting, and traveling. Although I don’t travel as much now, I have explored all of Europe in a camper with my family. I am a mother of three and a proud grandmother of five.

3. What does NaHaiWriMo mean to you?

I find the opportunity offered by NaHaiWriMo to be wonderful. Engaging with a daily “surprise” theme is a powerful stimulus for creativity. To me, it feels like a daily exercise for the soul; it keeps my perception sharp and encourages me to find the extraordinary within the ordinary. It’s a beautiful way to challenge oneself and stay connected with a global community of poets.

4. What one piece of advice would you offer to those who are new to writing haiku?

First, I would tell them that they have embarked on a marvelous journey. My main advice is: never get discouraged. I would invite them to join NaHaiWriMo and my own Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1569690610826719, chiefly in Italian, because engaging with others is the best way to learn and grow. Haiku is a path of continuous discovery.

5. Please share three of your favourite or best haiku.

il merlo cova

nella vecchia lanterna

arrugginita

the blackbird

broods inside the old

rusty lantern

la ragnatela

ricamata di brina—

casa deserta

the spider web

embroidered with frost—

a deserted home

balene al largo

lungo rotte invisibili—

urla di bambini

whales offshore

along invisible routes—

children’s joyful shouts