Poet Gathers Four Decades of Writing, Begun at Age 10, Into Debut Collection

In "Finding Yourself Once Again" Kelly Michelle Long traces love, heartbreak, faith and personal growth across a lifetime of poems.

PHOENIX, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than four decades of poetry come together in "Finding Yourself Once Again," a collection by Kelly Michelle Long that explores how love, loss and life's turning points shape our understanding of ourselves. Drawing on experiences across different stages of life, Long offers a personal perspective on relationships, resilience and the process of moving forward.

The poems follow an emotional arc from young love through mature relationships, heartbreak and reflection. They also take on family, friendship, faith, forgiveness and grief, and the discoveries that can come with life's changes.

"Through poems written over four decades, I hope readers find pieces of their own stories, gain strength in challenging moments, and feel inspired to keep growing and discovering themselves," Long said. "No matter how many times we lose our way, there is joy and comfort in finding ourselves once again."

Long spent more than four years bringing the poems together in a published collection, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

"Finding Yourself Once Again"
By Kelly Michelle Long
ISBN: 9798765269701 (softcover); 9798765269695 (electronic)
Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author
Kelly Michelle Long grew up on Long Island, New York, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with her family at age 9, where she continues to reside. She began writing poetry at age 10 and continued writing over the following four decades. "Finding Yourself Once Again" is her first published book, bringing together poetry written across different stages of her life and exploring love, family, heartache, personal growth and finding peace.

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SOURCE Balboa Press