An evocative and poignant Haibun, by Barbara, exclusively for Different Truths.

It’s not just a lake,
It’s a beautiful
gemstone inside
the mountains surrounded
by magic
and green gardens.
Near there is
a small temple,
and at the end
of every year
a board with a drawing
of the Chinese zodiac animal
for the upcoming year
is put in front
of its entrance.
Silence reigns supreme.
One had to learn to stay
in inner quietness, not for minutes
or hours, but for days
and weeks until this state
became a quality of the soul. 
The quintessence of life,
I think.
 
a bat –
drowned
in bliss

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Barbara Anna Gaiardoni

Barbara Anna Gaiardoni is a prominent Italian pedagogist and poet. Her Japanese-style verse appears in 280 magazines across 12 languages. A winner of the 7th Basho International Competition and two-time Touchstone Award nominee (2023, 2024), she was recently ranked among Europe’s Top 100 most creative haiku authors in 2025. With features in The Mainichi and an Honourable Mention at the 2024 Fujisan Tanka Contest, her work reflects globally.