Poet and author Natia Khaduri was born in what she calls “a small and beautiful country. From the age of four, I recited long poems by heart and I loved world literature very much.” Now living in North America for three and a half years, she actively participates in cultural events. She was the winner in the poetry category of the 2025 Beach Book Festival, and also placed in the Los Angeles and New York events.

She answered a few questions on her work and its process.

QUESTION: Is the title and opening poem directed at an individual? If not, where did you draw your inspiration?
NATIA KHADURI: I was describing more my own soul’s world. Often, when a poem I wrote had no specific addressee, it still seemed to breathe with such pain. It is probably my inner nature, and what can one do about that?”.

QUESTION: Who are your influences?
ANSWER: I was writing-reading at four years old. Since then, literature my life’s inseparable partner. My literary preferences were greatly shaped by Shota Rustaveli’s “The man in the Panther’s Skin,” a romantic epic, and by the works of Vazha-Pshavela. They are considered among the greatest writers in the world. Shota Rustaveli ranks first in the world's top ten authors. Therefore, I sometimes say that my homeland’s ancient culture is my influence, and such heritage makes writinga s pecial responsibility. Also, from childhood, I fell in love with Shakespeare, Goethe, George Byron, Sándor Petőfi and many other authors.

QUESTION: How much time did it take to write this book? It seems like a project built over several years.
ANSWER: This collection included poems from old writings. However, this collection’s main composition was written over three years.

QUESTION: Have You performed these poems in any live reading?
ANSWER: Yes. During my three years in the United States, I held three personal evenings in New York. I also participated in many cultural events where I presented my poems. I mix pain and joy together and the audience receives exactly what they expect from poetry. I can say that many people attend my poetry evenings.

QUESTION: What language were these poems written in? Does the translation accurately capture the emotion you intended?
ANSWER: The poems were written in my native Georgian language. I do not know English well enough to evaluate the translation, but certainly I know that the person who translated my writings is a talented poet and exactly captured the emotion. I give immense thanks I give to Ms. Mazia Lawrence, who is again helping me with my new book that will debut in the new year. Ttranslation itself causes changes to any writing for all nations and cultures, so no one can escape.

QUESTION: The overwhelming theme of this work seems to be loss. Was writing this work a way for you to overcome grief? Did it work?
ANSWER: The writing process certainly was emotional, and the restraint and control process that I summoned partly helped me achieve peace. Writing is, for me, a most interesting journey. where I need neither a psychologist or neuropathologist. In short, writing is my daily soul healing and development.

QUESTION: What is the role of religion in your work?
ANSWER: It certainly will not be exaggerated. I try in my creation to put thought about God’s will as it arises, and try not to groundlessly invent. God is foremost the greatest creator.. Man is God’s creation, as is the world. I am but one mortal person,and I waant that main creator’s views not contradicted by my thought. Therefore, in my creation, I often I speak about God, love, and life’s beauty.