"Spotlight" Poet Interview:
Marjorie Pezzoli
Marjorie Pezzoli
Does the month of March have any significant meaning for you?
The month of March really feels like spring has arrived. The month’s name hits home big time this year for me. Currently events are bringing communities to the streets. People are coming together, marching for basic human rights and needs. My poetry and art are two pebbles I place in the river, enough pebbles added can change its course. I cannot believe that compassion has become a controversial word.
M - March, the sweet alyssum is in full bloom.
This flower always brings my StarChild Alyssa to my mind and heart. She has been out riding comets since 1.25.2013
A - amazing that joy can still be found
R - revitalize, be the revolution of change
C - continue to be curious
H - heal yourself so you can help others
Tell us something good about the city or state you reside in.
I reside in San Diego, where the weather is generally wonderful. We do appreciate it when it rains. There are many open mic poetry readings and art events to attend monthly. If the ocean were warmer I would swim at the beach every day, too chilly for me.
Tell us a little bit about Marjorie.
I have been hand painting silk painting for a long time, my scarves have been in boutiques and museum shops over the years. I have taught both children and adults this delightful medium. It is like painting on air. My larger silks have been in gallery shows. I am a foodie for sure, and love trying new recipes. I actually make a salad how I would paint a silk scarf, build up colors and different textures until it looks pleasing to the eye. My focus is more on writing now. Figuring out how to combine all of my likes!
What does a typical day look like for you?
A cuppa tea, usually Earl Grey with breakfast, starts my day. Water the plants, put bird seed out, ponder food pairings, make sure to look at clouds. Self care when needed. My time is more flexible these days, I can pop into my home art studio and work on different ongoing projects. Walk Beau as I walk my thoughts. Many a cell phone pic while out and about have inspired poems that have been published.
How long have you been writing poetry?
I started writing in 2018 when I found my daughter’s nearly empty journal. I filled it because she could not. A week after I started writing poetry I got up the nerve to attend an open mic and step up to the mic. I didn’t let my husband attend for the year, too nervous. I still get butterflies, but they fly in formation.
What is your favorite form of poetry?
I love writing micro poems, contemporary haiku, and senryu. The collaborative process of split sequence was introduced to me by Jerome Berglund, forever grateful to him. I have worked with Christina Chin as well, she has taught me a lot too. Both of them ran with my idea to do an experimental triple split. My haiku that kicked it off was inspired by a line drawing created by Josiah for the “Complete the Haiga” series. His illustrations have brought out some of my favorite writings.
Are there other forms of writing you do?
Storytelling is a writing form that I have been working on for a while. A graphic novel hybrid poetry project. It is how I have continued adventures with my daughter in the stars. A long time in the making. The idea started to form in 2016. I might use the haibun form to get our story on paper. It has been like watching a sci-fi fantasy movie in my mind unfold over the years. Now you know why my head is in the stars at any given time.
Any published materials? If so, please also share where those interested can find your
published works.
Since 2019 my poetry has been curated in printed anthologies and online publications: A Year in Ink, Dadakuku, Heterodox Haiku, Mad Swirl, Palabra: Open Mic, San Diego Poetry Annual, Setu Journal, The Pan Haiku Review, and others.
Are you on any social media platforms, websites, etc., that you would like to share with
Us?
www.PezzoliArt.com
IG @marjoriepezzoli
My personal Substack - https://thecosmicgumballmachine.substack.com/
The name comes from the very beginning of my WIP graphic novel hybrid project. It allows for flexibility, ‘you never know what will roll out.” It is how I stay accountable to myself. My free email offering comes out every Monday morning since July 10th, 2023. https://www.setumag.com/2025/12/experimental-poetry-pezzoliberglundchin.html
This piece feels like it could be a mini rock opera, grateful to Setu for publishing this collaboration. I am still figuring out how to make it into a spoken word piece when I am the featured headliner for Palabra’s poetry reading, and open mic in April.
What are a few things you are proud of, or happy that you accomplished in 2025?
I am deeply honored to be awarded the Setu Award of Excellence for Art and Literature by Mr. Sharma, editor-in-chief, Dr. Sunil Sharma, and Sangeeta Sharma.
They have featured my poetry and silk painting monthly since August of 2023. This wonderful bilingual online magazine is now on hiatus. All issues may still be viewed. Program Coordinator for the Haiku of America Virtual Conference, November - 21st -23rd, 2025 with Yvette Nicole Kolidji, she is the moderator for the SCHSG. I have been helping to create promotional graphics for the Southern California Haiku Study Group (SCHSG) IG account. and helping to get the group’s “Reluctant Mermaids” Anthology to print, the proof is being looked at now, the book will be in soon!
What is a minor and major goal you would like to accomplish this year?
In January I started doing a small daily ink sketch with no pre-planned thoughts. This is way out of my comfort zone. Goal: sketch people which is my Achilles heel of drawing + include words with the image. Current events have made an impact on what comes out. It is fun to add Beau, our dog(he’s got Betty Davis eyes), by the way he now tolerates the visiting peacock from over the hill. I have figured out how to fix typos by scribbling over them, and other ways to camouflage them. Doodling opens the subconscious, it connects your brain to your hand, scribbling is ok too for that. Substack has a Notes area that I post everyday, a number of them hit my IG feed.
My major goal is to get a few books in print, poetic storytelling haibun form, kinda in the style of a graphic novel. A zine format series, or “Inking It Out” could be a possibility as well. I have had so many adventures in the stars with Alyssa, I really do need to get them down on paper. She is also why I am so drawn to haiku, short, sweet and to the point like my girl.
Can you share some advice for aspiring poets and writers?
Start writing what you feel, go to open mic readings, get out in the world and observe
Follow poets and writers on your favorite platforms Get into the conversations on the threads.
Find resources online in your area of interest Allow yourself to go down rabbit holes, amazing what you can learn, and what unexpected dots connect ~ it is all about staying curious.
Lean into gratitude, take notice of the smallest things that create joy. Keep a notebook by your bed for those 3:00 am thoughts, or text it to your self You don’t have to rhyme and haiku does not have to follow the 5/7/5 rule ~ learn more: https://thehaikufoundation.org/contemporary-haiku/ The Southern California Haiku Study Group has members far and wide, no fee and monthly Zoom meetings for workshops and more.
Find your favorite writing instrument and use good paper, nothing like a crisp PaperMate #2 pencil with a good eraser, or pen with good flow. Dust keeps, go do something that clears your mind. Take a chance and submit your work!
Thank you for taking time to do this interview, Marjorie. I appreciate your continued
support of Creative Inspirations and its ministries! Please have closing remarks.
It hasn’t been easy to share my backstory, it has been a process. Last year it felt like Alyssa put me in the “whale song” zone. My grief has softened, and it's much easier to talk about it these days. Writing continues to connect us. We all deal with different life changing events at some point, may faith, hope, and love help you navigate those times.
By sharing my major goal to the Creative Inspirations community it lets the Universe know I am serious. Extra encouragement, good vibes, and prayers make everything more doable.
Please remember this-
with friends / we laugh / we cry / and we laugh again
~ shattered pieces still sparkle ~
May rainbows always be over your shoulder
4Now
-Marjorie
The month of March really feels like spring has arrived. The month’s name hits home big time this year for me. Currently events are bringing communities to the streets. People are coming together, marching for basic human rights and needs. My poetry and art are two pebbles I place in the river, enough pebbles added can change its course. I cannot believe that compassion has become a controversial word.
M - March, the sweet alyssum is in full bloom.
This flower always brings my StarChild Alyssa to my mind and heart. She has been out riding comets since 1.25.2013
A - amazing that joy can still be found
R - revitalize, be the revolution of change
C - continue to be curious
H - heal yourself so you can help others
Tell us something good about the city or state you reside in.
I reside in San Diego, where the weather is generally wonderful. We do appreciate it when it rains. There are many open mic poetry readings and art events to attend monthly. If the ocean were warmer I would swim at the beach every day, too chilly for me.
Tell us a little bit about Marjorie.
I have been hand painting silk painting for a long time, my scarves have been in boutiques and museum shops over the years. I have taught both children and adults this delightful medium. It is like painting on air. My larger silks have been in gallery shows. I am a foodie for sure, and love trying new recipes. I actually make a salad how I would paint a silk scarf, build up colors and different textures until it looks pleasing to the eye. My focus is more on writing now. Figuring out how to combine all of my likes!
What does a typical day look like for you?
A cuppa tea, usually Earl Grey with breakfast, starts my day. Water the plants, put bird seed out, ponder food pairings, make sure to look at clouds. Self care when needed. My time is more flexible these days, I can pop into my home art studio and work on different ongoing projects. Walk Beau as I walk my thoughts. Many a cell phone pic while out and about have inspired poems that have been published.
How long have you been writing poetry?
I started writing in 2018 when I found my daughter’s nearly empty journal. I filled it because she could not. A week after I started writing poetry I got up the nerve to attend an open mic and step up to the mic. I didn’t let my husband attend for the year, too nervous. I still get butterflies, but they fly in formation.
What is your favorite form of poetry?
I love writing micro poems, contemporary haiku, and senryu. The collaborative process of split sequence was introduced to me by Jerome Berglund, forever grateful to him. I have worked with Christina Chin as well, she has taught me a lot too. Both of them ran with my idea to do an experimental triple split. My haiku that kicked it off was inspired by a line drawing created by Josiah for the “Complete the Haiga” series. His illustrations have brought out some of my favorite writings.
Are there other forms of writing you do?
Storytelling is a writing form that I have been working on for a while. A graphic novel hybrid poetry project. It is how I have continued adventures with my daughter in the stars. A long time in the making. The idea started to form in 2016. I might use the haibun form to get our story on paper. It has been like watching a sci-fi fantasy movie in my mind unfold over the years. Now you know why my head is in the stars at any given time.
Any published materials? If so, please also share where those interested can find your
published works.
Since 2019 my poetry has been curated in printed anthologies and online publications: A Year in Ink, Dadakuku, Heterodox Haiku, Mad Swirl, Palabra: Open Mic, San Diego Poetry Annual, Setu Journal, The Pan Haiku Review, and others.
Are you on any social media platforms, websites, etc., that you would like to share with
Us?
www.PezzoliArt.com
IG @marjoriepezzoli
My personal Substack - https://thecosmicgumballmachine.substack.com/
The name comes from the very beginning of my WIP graphic novel hybrid project. It allows for flexibility, ‘you never know what will roll out.” It is how I stay accountable to myself. My free email offering comes out every Monday morning since July 10th, 2023. https://www.setumag.com/2025/12/experimental-poetry-pezzoliberglundchin.html
This piece feels like it could be a mini rock opera, grateful to Setu for publishing this collaboration. I am still figuring out how to make it into a spoken word piece when I am the featured headliner for Palabra’s poetry reading, and open mic in April.
What are a few things you are proud of, or happy that you accomplished in 2025?
I am deeply honored to be awarded the Setu Award of Excellence for Art and Literature by Mr. Sharma, editor-in-chief, Dr. Sunil Sharma, and Sangeeta Sharma.
They have featured my poetry and silk painting monthly since August of 2023. This wonderful bilingual online magazine is now on hiatus. All issues may still be viewed. Program Coordinator for the Haiku of America Virtual Conference, November - 21st -23rd, 2025 with Yvette Nicole Kolidji, she is the moderator for the SCHSG. I have been helping to create promotional graphics for the Southern California Haiku Study Group (SCHSG) IG account. and helping to get the group’s “Reluctant Mermaids” Anthology to print, the proof is being looked at now, the book will be in soon!
What is a minor and major goal you would like to accomplish this year?
In January I started doing a small daily ink sketch with no pre-planned thoughts. This is way out of my comfort zone. Goal: sketch people which is my Achilles heel of drawing + include words with the image. Current events have made an impact on what comes out. It is fun to add Beau, our dog(he’s got Betty Davis eyes), by the way he now tolerates the visiting peacock from over the hill. I have figured out how to fix typos by scribbling over them, and other ways to camouflage them. Doodling opens the subconscious, it connects your brain to your hand, scribbling is ok too for that. Substack has a Notes area that I post everyday, a number of them hit my IG feed.
My major goal is to get a few books in print, poetic storytelling haibun form, kinda in the style of a graphic novel. A zine format series, or “Inking It Out” could be a possibility as well. I have had so many adventures in the stars with Alyssa, I really do need to get them down on paper. She is also why I am so drawn to haiku, short, sweet and to the point like my girl.
Can you share some advice for aspiring poets and writers?
Start writing what you feel, go to open mic readings, get out in the world and observe
Follow poets and writers on your favorite platforms Get into the conversations on the threads.
Find resources online in your area of interest Allow yourself to go down rabbit holes, amazing what you can learn, and what unexpected dots connect ~ it is all about staying curious.
Lean into gratitude, take notice of the smallest things that create joy. Keep a notebook by your bed for those 3:00 am thoughts, or text it to your self You don’t have to rhyme and haiku does not have to follow the 5/7/5 rule ~ learn more: https://thehaikufoundation.org/contemporary-haiku/ The Southern California Haiku Study Group has members far and wide, no fee and monthly Zoom meetings for workshops and more.
Find your favorite writing instrument and use good paper, nothing like a crisp PaperMate #2 pencil with a good eraser, or pen with good flow. Dust keeps, go do something that clears your mind. Take a chance and submit your work!
Thank you for taking time to do this interview, Marjorie. I appreciate your continued
support of Creative Inspirations and its ministries! Please have closing remarks.
It hasn’t been easy to share my backstory, it has been a process. Last year it felt like Alyssa put me in the “whale song” zone. My grief has softened, and it's much easier to talk about it these days. Writing continues to connect us. We all deal with different life changing events at some point, may faith, hope, and love help you navigate those times.
By sharing my major goal to the Creative Inspirations community it lets the Universe know I am serious. Extra encouragement, good vibes, and prayers make everything more doable.
Please remember this-
with friends / we laugh / we cry / and we laugh again
~ shattered pieces still sparkle ~
May rainbows always be over your shoulder
4Now
-Marjorie
For past "Spotlight" interviews, please contact MJ at the email below.
January - Uchechukwu Onyedikam
February - Melissa Dennison
January - Uchechukwu Onyedikam
February - Melissa Dennison
Creative Inspirations - P.O. Box 19051 Kalamazoo, MI 49019
[email protected] - www.cipoetrypublication.com
[email protected] - www.cipoetrypublication.com