She Took TheLong Way Home

Poems from detours and second chances, for anyone learning to trust their own timing and take life one step at a time.

Life took me places I never expected and it gave me these poems

This collection grew out of ordinary life: love and loss, healing and starting again and the small moments we tend to overlook but never quite forget.

Some of the poems may make you smile. Some may stir a memory. And a few might feel like they were written just for you.

These aren't poems to rush through. They're the kind you keep nearby, to open on a heavy day, to read again on a quiet one and to return to whenever you need something calm and honest.

I hope these words keep you good company wherever life takes you.

Jennifer

Every fresh start holds new possibilities.

Through the detours, the heartbreaks and the second chances, I've come to believe the long way round is rarely wasted. These poems are the small, honest notes I gathered along the way.

If you've ever read a line and thought "this feels like me," this book is for you: the quiet thoughts and feelings that pass through your day, finally written down.

A few lines can name a feeling you've carried for years and never quite said out loud: recognition on the hard days, comfort on the quiet ones.

Why These Words Matter

Poetry isn't only about beautiful language, it's about being understood.

That's what these poems are for: words about real life and encouragement to make the most of what comes next.

Introducing the

D.E.T.O.U.R.S.

Collection

The D.E.T.O.U.R.S. collection follows seven threads through She Took the Long Way Home: the turns, detours and second chances that quietly shape a life.

Detours

Poems about life's unexpected turns and the lessons they leave behind.

Everyday

Finding beauty in the ordinary moments we usually overlook.

Tenderness

Love, friendship and family, written gently and always honestly.

Open Roads

Seaside towns, cafés and faraway places worth wandering toward.

Unhurried

Permission to slow down and take life one step at a time.

Resilience

Healing after heartbreak and finding the courage to start again.

Second Chances

New beginnings and learning to trust your own timing.

What you'll find inside

She Took The Long Way Home

Poems about love, loss, healing, self-discovery and starting again.
Personal moments, memories and a little humour along the way.
Poems inspired by travel, family and relationships.
Short, honest poems with a message in every verse.
A reminder to enjoy life and make the most of what comes next.

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Why Readers Keep It Close

Honest & Relatable

Drawn from real moments and genuine feelings, never forced, never fussy.

A Gentle Companion

Keep it close and return to it any time the day asks for something calmer.

Comfort When You Need It

Light relief when the day feels heavy and a little courage for the rest.

Beautifully Simple

Short, warm poems that are easy to read and easy to love.

Get Your Copy of She Took the Long Way Home

What is included

The full SHE TOOK THE LONG WAY HOME paperback
Be among the first to know when the paperback is released
Receive a free poem from the collection sent straight to your inbox when you join Jennifer's Reader List
The link for the book will be sent straight to your inbox when it's available

Meet the author

Jennifer Bates

Jennifer Bates is a writer and poet and lives in Western Australia. Her life has taken her from owning businesses in the hospitality industry in Australia to living in Europe for 16 years and travelling to many corners of the world.

She began writing from her own experiences and observations of everyday life, often finding inspiration in conversations, people, places and moments that stayed with her. Jennifer believes you’re never too old to change direction, try something new or see where life takes you next.

She Took the Long Way Home is her debut collection: a gentle, honest companion for anyone navigating change, rebuilding after heartbreak or simply learning to take life one step at a time.