She Took the Long Way Home | Poetry by Jennifer Bates

I wrote these poems to make sense of the quiet, in-between moments of my own life.

This book began in the spaces between the big events. It grew from notes scribbled on the way to work, thoughts caught before falling asleep, and the slow process of starting again. I realised the detours were just as important as the destination.

We spend so much time trying to rush through the heavy days. I wanted to pause and look at what happens when we simply sit with them. These poems are honest reflections on love, losing your way, and the small mercies that help us keep going.

I put this collection together to share those quiet realisations. If you are learning to take the long way around, I hope you find a piece of your own story in these pages.

Change rarely happens overnight. It creeps up in the quiet hours and the ordinary tasks we do every day. Sometimes you look back and realise you have survived the very thing you thought would break you.

You might be standing at the edge of a new beginning. You might be putting the pieces back together after a painful loss. In those moments, the world can feel loud and overwhelming.

This collection offers a place to rest. It speaks to the slow work of healing and the beauty of taking your time. You do not have to have it all figured out right now.

Why this collection belongs on your nightstand

Poetry should not feel like a riddle you have to solve. These poems are written plainly, meant to be picked up whenever you need a quiet moment of recognition. They are short enough to read over morning coffee and honest enough to return to on heavy days.

You will find words that make you feel a little less alone. This is a book you can keep nearby for comfort, reassurance, and the simple reminder that taking the long way home is a perfectly fine way to travel.

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Walking the D.E.T.O.U.R. Path

These poems trace a path through the quiet moments that shape us.

Daily moments

Find poetry in the small, routine parts of life we usually overlook.

Everyday tenderness

Explore the gentle ways we care for ourselves and each other.

Taking time

Learn to appreciate an unhurried pace when navigating big changes.

Ordinary heartache

Sit with the honest feelings of love, loss, and letting go.

Unexpected paths

Embrace the unexpected twists that lead to new beginnings.

Rebuilding slowly

Discover hope in the quiet work of starting over again.

What you will find inside

Short, honest poems drawn from ordinary life.
Reflections on love, loss, and the process of healing.
Gentle reminders that second chances are always possible.
Words of comfort to return to on heavy days.
A celebration of the quiet, in-between moments we often miss.

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A companion for the long days

Read it anywhere

These short poems fit perfectly into a busy morning or a quiet evening.

Plain and honest

Written in clear, simple language that speaks directly to the heart.

Keep it nearby

A comforting presence for the times you feel lost or alone.

Gift to others

Share these words with a friend who is navigating their own change.

Hold the collection in your hands

$19.95

A physical paperback copy of She Took the Long Way Home.
A complete debut collection of original poetry.
A quiet space to reflect, heal, and start again.

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Jennifer Bates

Jennifer Bates writes poetry about the quiet, in-between moments of ordinary life. Her work focuses on love, loss, and the slow process of healing. She believes the long way round is rarely wasted, and that the right words at the right moment can make you feel a little less alone.

She Took the Long Way Home is her debut collection. When she is not writing, she is usually finding inspiration in the everyday routines we often overlook. She hopes her poems offer a sense of comfort and recognition to anyone navigating a season of change.