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A question - Andrea Dietrich's Blog

About Andrea Dietrich
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Andrea Dietrich grew up in Iowa and now resides in Utah with a spouse and two cats. She has two grown children and six grandchildren. Having graduated BYU with a Spanish major/ESL minor, she has spent most of her adult life teaching. It wasn't until 2000 that she began writing in earnest and discovering her "niche" as a writer of lyrical poetry. The internet opened up a new world for her, and she has spent two decades now participating in poetry clubs, acting as a judge of poetry contests for various magazines, for the website Shadow Poetry, and for Poetry Soup. 

Ms. Dietrich has won numerous awards, as well as the title Poet of the Year 2008, from the Yahoo group, Poetry For Thought. In addition, she has won prizes from the magazines Lucidity, Bell's Letters, Art with Words, Poets at Work and SP Quill, the magazine for which she wrote grammar and poetry articles as well as movie reviews and for which she acted as poetry editor for the head editor Marie Summers for six years. Many of her poems appeared in Shadows Ink, a yearly published series of chapbooks of award winning poetry as well as in numerous other anthologies. Her short stories appeared in many issues of SP Quill and much of her poetry was published in eight chapbooks (no longer sold online). 

Since coming to Poetry Soup, Ms. Dietrich has been both contest sponsor and winner of numerous contests. In 2010, her poem "Cinder Girl" was first place winner of Soup's International contest (these contests are no longer held).  A song was created from her lyrics "Honeymoon Serenade" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDWxc4cpHDc) and two movies have been made featuring the poetry of Andrea Dietrich: "A Tale of Fire and Ice" (a 4 min. Z-Film Fest Project, 2014) and the full length movie "Six Days of Sistine" in which 20 poems of Ms. Dietrichs serve as the thoughts of two characters played by Jamie Campbell Bower and Elarica Johnson (directed by Richard J. Perry, 2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7710360/


A question

Blog Posted:6/1/2025 12:20:00 PM
How are people getting their patterns to STAY in place. I noticed one of my latest poems has a word in a shape form, but no matter how often I edit it, the shape won't stay put. Yet I see all kinds of shapes being posted which do not lose their shape. Is it some kind of magic? Another thing . . .why is it that when I post pictures, I will sometimes go back to those poems and see that the entire picture disappeared. Even Facebook pictures. It is so frustrating to me. Do others have those problems?


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Date: 6/7/2025 12:47:00 PM
Dear Andie, Certain characters on the keyboard are not readable when you post them.You need to choose the right characters and be sure to aline with the words. In doing so, it requires a lot of effort. For example in hiku, composing it is not as hard as putting shapes. Putting shapes and playing with letters to create a shape is laborious. It requires a lot of patience as sometimes while you are composing all the letters will vanish and you need to restart again. It's not magic, it requires a lot of effort and patience. I do mine in my phone because some characters are easily accessible in phone. Honestly 1 hour is not enough for a simple hiku with a simple shape. ^___^ JCB
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Date: 6/3/2025 2:08:00 AM
Hi Andrea, I usually have to play around with my shapes to get them to stay put, I do them in word, then cut and past to the submission page. Always on the computer never on a smart phone, reason being ,, I dont own A SMART PHONE. One trick I learned to keep the lines from moving is to place a dot far left and space bar to the position you want to begin creating your shape. If you look closely you can see the dot in most of my shapes. eg Reflections _1574929 and dolce_far_niente_-_1574034 Hope this helps a lil.. Cheers Wen
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/3/2025 3:24:00 PM
I type everything on my computer and copy and paste to submit. Still it happens. Just not always. So weird
Date: 6/2/2025 2:53:00 AM
Regarding photos Andrea: You need to have a place to store them "as your own" :)
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/2/2025 6:31:00 PM
oh man. I am bad at that. I can only do it on my phone, but I only know how to PUT photos in poems by using my computer!
Date: 6/1/2025 4:29:00 PM
Do you use Myphotos (in mylinks; Member Home) to store images on the website before you use the link created to insert them into your quotes area? I have had no problem with that. Regarding shapes it is best to use -center- for the entire poem, then insert 'spaces'; beware of the line limit, and use 'spaces' without -center- as well. Its laborious but works. Complex shapes can be very difficult
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Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 6/3/2025 3:37:00 PM
Hi I use libre as well.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/3/2025 3:25:00 PM
I don't use word just office libre. Maybe that is my problem. Could never find someone to hrlp me get word on my computer the right way
Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 6/3/2025 2:45:00 PM
see my poem 'blindspot' which combines -center- with spaces and line length - https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/blind_spot_1736516 . Its best done using 'word' or another word processor, with center indent, before pasting into the poem and adding -center- there.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/2/2025 6:48:00 PM
just tried the centering thing. It made it worse.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/2/2025 6:32:00 PM
thanks, I was really bad figuring out Myphotos. Can't through that again haha.
Date: 6/1/2025 3:36:00 PM
The second half of your question, yes I have seen pictures disappear. I got frustrated and haven’t attempted to post anymore pics. (Hate that!) I was mainly using pixabay.
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/2/2025 6:32:00 PM
well, the only good thing is that rarely are the old poems with pictures seen again. It would be nice if they stayed put though

My Past Blog Posts

 
A question
Date Posted: 6/1/2025 12:20:00 PM
Judging my haiku contest finally/ what I am noticing
Date Posted: 5/26/2025 3:35:00 PM
Foodie Pleiades Contest Finalized
Date Posted: 4/28/2025 12:15:00 PM
My Contest Finally Judged
Date Posted: 3/22/2025 3:59:00 PM
That's Life! GREAT JOB, Contestants
Date Posted: 3/2/2025 1:21:00 PM
Congrats to Winners of my Second Chance Pleiades Challenge
Date Posted: 1/1/2025 8:28:00 PM
Happy Birthday to a New Year Baby
Date Posted: 12/31/2024 12:33:00 PM
About my Current Contest
Date Posted: 12/23/2024 11:41:00 PM
Alouette Me - Finally judged - Congrats to ALL my Winners
Date Posted: 12/2/2024 4:41:00 PM
Regarding my Pleiades Contest - Please Read if you are a Contestant
Date Posted: 11/1/2024 4:14:00 PM
WORD CRIMES - Short, fun music video on common grammar mistakes
Date Posted: 10/14/2024 12:04:00 PM
Thanks & Congrats to Published Poets: A Special thanks to Emile Pinet
Date Posted: 10/7/2024 4:03:00 PM
MISSING SOUPERS
Date Posted: 9/15/2024 10:17:00 AM
Been Away/ Hope to get contest placements up by weekend
Date Posted: 8/29/2024 1:15:00 PM
Is anyone else having problems entering any contests?
Date Posted: 8/5/2024 12:28:00 AM
Is it true...?
Date Posted: 8/1/2024 1:03:00 PM
Tankacrostic examples for those having difficulties understanding how it goes
Date Posted: 7/10/2024 1:37:00 PM
As I Wait for my Contest Results to Post
Date Posted: 6/30/2024 4:43:00 PM
Is anyone having these problems?
Date Posted: 6/20/2024 1:11:00 PM
Contestants - Poofread your Andaree
Date Posted: 4/29/2024 12:14:00 AM
Please EDIT before I judge my contest: ONE LINE ONLY
Date Posted: 2/25/2024 2:51:00 PM
Congrats, Sijo Winners
Date Posted: 2/4/2024 11:28:00 AM
In Need of Clarification on putting info underneath poems
Date Posted: 2/4/2024 9:09:00 AM
Note to Those who entered my Sijo Contest - blog slightly revised
Date Posted: 2/3/2024 12:52:00 PM
About Sijo
Date Posted: 1/14/2024 1:44:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
6/12/2025 In His Empty Room Sonnetbrother,
6/11/2025 My Inner Voice Told Me Sonnetdark,youth,
6/11/2025 Zoo Baboon Limerickanimal,
6/9/2025 Intrusive Thoughts Sonnetsleep,
6/9/2025 By Accident Rhymehumorous,
6/8/2025 Not On A Monday Chokaday,
6/8/2025 rain hiku Haikurain,
6/7/2025 Ride Your Wishing Star Lyricdream,
6/7/2025 An Old Decrepit Car Sonnetcar,
6/7/2025 vagabond hiku Haikulove hurts,
6/6/2025 I Loved Your Heart Rhymelove hurts,
6/5/2025 a fall hiku Haikuautumn,
6/4/2025 Leave My Kitten Alone Laycat,
6/3/2025 a hiku Haikuwoman,
6/3/2025 Hermit Shadormapeople,
6/3/2025 Led by Dawn Bringer Sonnetday,
6/2/2025 a sunset hiku Haikusunset,
6/1/2025 Autumn and Its Passing - Edited Rhymeautumn,
6/1/2025 Where Silence Listens Rhymesilence,
5/31/2025 A Mating Dance -revised Free verseanimal,
5/30/2025 wildflower Monokumetaphor,
5/30/2025 At the Point of No Return Rhymeinspirational,integrity,
5/29/2025 woeful Senryuangst,
5/29/2025 As We Metamorphose Rhymespiritual,
5/28/2025 Deep in Greenwood Cemetery Sonnetanniversary,death,
5/28/2025 Of Crayon Box Dreams Sonnetfantasy,
5/27/2025 a sweet hiku Haikuromantic love,
5/27/2025 Of Memories Buried Rhymememory,
5/26/2025 Lad Humpty Dumpty Rhymehumorous,
5/26/2025 White Free versecolor,
5/25/2025 Breathless He Left Me Acrosticromantic love,
5/25/2025 grapes Haikufruit,
5/24/2025 Along with the Thunder Rhymeabuse,
5/23/2025 budding pear hiku Haikutree,
5/21/2025 Walk in the Light Rhymeevil,light,
5/20/2025 Abandon Shadows: Embrace Sun Rhymelife,
5/19/2025 My Hairied History Othergrowth,hair,
5/18/2025 All This Summer Day Quatrainromantic love,
5/18/2025 Yummy Food Makes Me Smile Coupletfood,
5/17/2025 Unintended Innuendo Rhymecheer up,
5/16/2025 Jean-Jacques Rousseau Clerihewphilosophy,
5/15/2025 Claude Monet Clerihewart,
5/14/2025 Flashbacks Verselost love,
5/14/2025 An Ode To My Three Strong Traits Odepsychological,
5/13/2025 Memorial Day Sonnetwar,
5/12/2025 supplanted Haikuspring,
5/12/2025 a sunflower hiku Haikuflower,
5/12/2025 Four Seasons of Love Rhymelost love,
5/11/2025 a spring monoku Monokuspring,
5/11/2025 the forest Free versenature,
5/9/2025 To Fly Verseflying,
5/9/2025 Emotional Shrapnel Free verseabuse,
5/8/2025 honey bee hiku Haikuflower,
5/7/2025 a summer hiku Haikusummer,
5/7/2025 Road Trip Versetravel,
5/6/2025 On Ecclesiastes 9:10 Rhymebible,
5/5/2025 The Three Primary Colors Quintain (English)color,
5/4/2025 Behind the Clown’s Big Smile Rhymeangst,
5/3/2025 peak hiku Haikunature,
5/2/2025 Casualty of Your Cruelty Ethereehurt,
5/2/2025 An Interview with the Color Purple Narrativecolor,
5/1/2025 PET Acrosticpets,
5/1/2025 Our Spirits Sing Rhymemusic,
4/29/2025 Leaf Versedeath,flying,
4/29/2025 Deprived Ethereelost love,
4/28/2025 Dear Sweet Lucy Loo Sonnetdog,
4/27/2025 Runner Narrativerace,
4/27/2025 spring hiku Haikuflower,
4/26/2025 a hiku for spring Haikuapril,spring,
4/24/2025 A hiku Haikuflower,
4/23/2025 When Summer Comes Along Rhymesummer,
4/22/2025 meadow haiku Haikugreen,
4/22/2025 Popcorn: My go - to Snack Epulaeryufood,
4/22/2025 Plagued by Memories Ethereehealth,
4/21/2025 God's Radiant Light Rhymegod,
4/21/2025 Johann Sebastian Bach Clerihewmusic,
4/20/2025 An Easter Poem Rhymeeaster,
4/19/2025 Your Life Review Rhymelife,
4/18/2025 Oh, Mother Rhymemother daughter,
4/17/2025 Once Visited by Death Rhymedream,pain,
4/17/2025 a hiku Haikuworld,
4/16/2025 My Chocolate Easter Tradition Rhymeeaster,
4/16/2025 Mozart Clerihew Clerihewmusic,
4/15/2025 Arrival of a Goddess Free versemorning,
4/14/2025 graveyard hiku Haikumoon,
4/14/2025 In Playground of Imagination Rhymeimagination,
4/13/2025 Surrendering to the Cold Embrace of Death Ethereedeath,
4/13/2025 A Red Hots Footle Tale Footlecandy,
4/12/2025 Oh Gentle Gust Ethereewind,
4/11/2025 The Now Continuum Sonnetlife,
4/10/2025 All You Beautiful Poets Quintain (Sicilian)poets,
4/9/2025 You Are - My Double Etheree Ethereemetaphor,
4/9/2025 Good Friends Monokufriendship,
4/8/2025 The Owl Haibunangst,
4/8/2025 National Poetry Month Rhymefear,house,
4/8/2025 lost in the gloaming hiku Haikunight,
4/6/2025 Milk Shake Footles Footlefruit,
4/4/2025 Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Rhymejoy,
4/4/2025 Oh, Afterglow, Sweet Afterglow Kyriellenostalgia,
4/3/2025 What Makes You Feel Monokufriendship,

My Photos


photo

ps_2009 vacation.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
The Stone Elegydeath,love,
A Winter Night Lyricimagination,nature,
Violin Personificationdeath,love,rose,
Just Wait and See Free versenature,science,space,
My White Lace Tablecloth Narrativefamily,forgiveness,friend
A Limerick Christmas Three (3) . Limerickfunny,seasons,thank you,c
Always Mothers Day Rhymefunny,mother,thank you,me
A Pirate Jay Light Verseanimals,
Divine Splendor Blank verseintrospection,nature,scie
Brother - Billy Narrativebrother,childhood,family,
Umbrella Personificationconfusion,devotion,life,l
You Played Me Personificationconfusion,imagination,mus
Concept of Time Free versenature
Jingle Free versefunny,life,music
An Ever-Changing Universe Narrativemysterylight,light,univer
Transcendence Tankafantasy,imagination,natur
Spaces .... the Earth Moved ..... Imagismlove
December Sun . Rhymenaturewinter,sun,winter,
A Whisper On the Wind Personificationnature,
Footsteps Free versefatherme,me,
If Ever Free verselove,
Dreams Like Light-Waves Prose Poetryimaginationautumn,
A Fantsy World Haiku 
September Song (Triple Tanka) Tankanature
Where the Sycamore Grew Narrativeautumn,family,house,life,
Perfect Nature Haikunature
Wild Love Narrativegarden,love,rose,sweet,
Positive Perspective Tankainspirational
My Pilot Light Verseinspirational,introspecti
Love's Echos Free verselovevoice,love,me,voice,
For Wifey Rhymeloveme,love,me,i love you
Alabaster Night Free versenature,planet,sea,
Causalities of War Elegydeath,war,
" Ike and Jane "- Sequence 2 Light Versefunny,love,wifeme,me,time
Pretty Orchids Free versecaregiving,happiness,hope
Even a Sparrow Soars Free verseanimals
My Piano Knows Versedevotion,happiness,holida
Dancing With the Stars Free versenature,scienceblue,
The Unrequited Mantra Free versedevotion,hope,lost love,l
Fig Tree, New Year's Day Narrativenaturewinter,winter,new y
Poets At-Large Free verselife,
To Know You Free versedevotion,husband
Moved To Tears By Josh Groban Versemusic,on writing and word
Sequence-Sonnet Lanternelife,love,on writing and
Reflections Free versehappiness,life,lovesun,
Somber Is the Color of the Day Free verseday,light,me,winter,words
A Winter Rose - a Sonnet Sonnetrose,winter,
The Word Weaver Free verseintrospection,lifeme,
Each Day a Gift Free verseinspirational,introspecti
Contrary Kisses Free verseinspirational,introspecti
She Waits... Free verseart,hopelonging,
Blue Heaven Haikunature
A Death In the Sun Free versehope,seasons
My Reason For Living Free versehusband
Terra Firma Haikunature,science,time
How Could I Have Known Free versehusband,love,mystery
True Poetry In Motion? Free verseinspirationalmay,
Frozen In Time Free verseseasonssnow,snow,
Forgotten Treasure Light Verseadventure,art,beauty,enco
Putting On Makeup Rhymeintrospection,sad,
Desire Light Versebutterfly,flower,life,los
Love? Bah! Rhymelost love,lovelove,
Real Life Shoe Fable Clerihewhusband
Black and Blue Rhymeabuse,funny,husband,me,
Foreboding Haikumystery,nature
A Song At Sunrise Coupletfaithsong,song,
Beat Out the Rhythm Rhymefunny
What Do the Stars Tell a Lover's Heart Free verseadventure,fantasy,happine
The Green Checkered Face Free versefood,happinessheart,heart
Play It Free verseinspirational,love,music,
Twilight's Fading Light Free verselife,nature
Marble In Columns On Green Coupletbrother,daughter,father,h
I Will Be Strong Free verseangst,husband,lossme,
The Beauty of Yore Free versenostalgia
Wandering Soul Free versehappiness,inspirational,n
Sunset On Galway Bay (Haiku No. 34) Haikuinspirational
Transformation I do not know?allegory
If You Are Lonely Free verseinspirational,introspecti
Time Out Free versedepression,devotion,fanta
Winter Promise Free versenature
I Am..(Tagged By Raul, Now I'M Tagging Elaine George). Free verseintrospectionbeautiful,be
Brown Sands Lyricintrospection,lifemystery
Dancing At a Temple Rhymedevotion,
Daybreak Up High Free verseinspirational
Tea For Two Free verseintrospectionme,me,
Peak District United Kingdom Prose Poetryinspirational
Paper I do not know?allegoryme,
Nine O'Clock Limerickfunny
Frozen Memories Tankaart
Summer's Voice Free verseseasons
Lazy Day Free verselife,nature
I Was Me Biolife,
The First Kiss Or That Darn Ann Landers Lyricme,nostalgia,song,travel,
Crimsom Beauty Dramatic Monologueangst
Red Geraniums Free verse 
Zoo Fright Limerickfunny
As I Hid Monokumuse,
Three Messengers Narrativeanimals,faith,inspiration
Stretchy Neck Lyricanimals
A Round Tuit Shapefunny

Fav Poets

1234
PoetCountry 
Grace Eunsong Lee Korea (South) Flag Korea (South) Read
Constance La France Canada Flag Canada Read
Daver Austin United States Flag United States Read
Carolyn Devonshire United States Flag United States Read
Carrie Richards United States Flag United States Read
James Foulk United States Flag United States Read
Debbie Guzzi United States Flag United States Read
Barbara Gorelick United States Flag United States Read
Michelle Mac Donald Canada Flag Canada Read
Charmaine Chircop Malta Flag Malta Read
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen United States Flag United States Read
James Fraser United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Jayne Eggins Australia Flag Australia Read
Kabuteng P.Ink K. Philippines Flag Philippines Read
Joyce Johnson United States Flag United States Read
Robert A. Dufresne United States Flag United States Read
Linda-Marie Sweetheart Italy Flag Italy Read
Maurice Rigoler United States Flag United States Read
Samir Georges Canada Flag Canada Read
Connie Marcum Wong United States Flag United States Read
Margaret Foster Australia Flag Australia Read
Nick Bagnall United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Skat A United States Flag United States Read
Edwin Baldwin United States Flag United States Read
Linda Milgate United States Flag United States Read
Kris Walters United States Flag United States Read
Poet Destroyer A United States Flag United States Read
Harry Horsman Australia Flag Australia Read
Travis Tapley United States Flag United States Read
Timothy Brumley United States Flag United States Read
Wilma Neels South Africa Flag South Africa Read
Rauwolfia Ra South Africa Flag South Africa Read
Sharon Tideswell United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Tahera Mannan India Flag India Read
Carol Fillmore Canada Flag Canada Read
Jerri Ward United States Flag United States Read
Nette Onclaud Philippines Flag Philippines Read
Sidney Beck Russian Federation Flag Russian Federation Read
Kash Poet India Flag India Read
Gwendolen Song United States Flag United States Read
Tony Lane United States Flag United States Read
Jack Horne United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Gautami Phookan India Flag India Read
Black Eyed Susan United States Flag United States Read
Cyndi Macmillan Canada Flag Canada Read
Ilene Bauer United States Flag United States Read
Matt Hunt United States Flag United States Read
David Williams United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Elizabeth Wesley Canada Flag Canada Read
Judy Ball Canada Flag Canada Read
Matthew Anish United States Flag United States Read
Mandy Tams The Golden Girl United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Lizzie Treetop Australia Flag Australia Read
Robert Ludden United States Flag United States Read
Rhonda Johnson-Saunders United States Flag United States Read
Heather Ober Canada Flag Canada Read
Len Gasun Thailand Flag Thailand Read
Joann Grisetti United States Flag United States Read
Painted Hunter United States Flag United States Read
Victoria Anderson-Throop United States Flag United States Read
Elaine George Canada Flag Canada Read
Keith Bickerstaffe United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Phyllis Babcock Canada Flag Canada Read
Sharon Winter United States Flag United States Read
Sue Mason United States Flag United States Read
Gert W. Knop Germany Flag Germany Read
Sean Kelly Ireland Flag Ireland Read
Steven Mossburg United States Flag United States Read
Rollo West United States Flag United States Read
Therese Bacha United States Flag United States Read
Laura Breidenthal United States Flag United States Read
Jeremy Martin United States Flag United States Read
Richard Lamoureux Canada Flag Canada Read
Red Omara Australia Flag Australia Read
Monterey Sirak United States Flag United States Read
Manel Gunatillake Sri Lanka Flag Sri Lanka Read
Richard Ferry United States Flag United States Read
Eileen Manassian _Not Listed Flag _Not Listed Read
Jon A Cavanaugh United States Flag United States Read
Sandra Adams United States Flag United States Read
Kelly Deschler United States Flag United States Read
Michael Ainsley United States Flag United States Read
Linda Jackson United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Roger Horsch United States Flag United States Read
Mark Peterson United States Flag United States Read
Stephen Kilmer United States Flag United States Read
Darren Watson United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Faye Gibson United States Flag United States Read
Aiyah Torres Philippines Flag Philippines Read
Andrea Dietrich United States Flag United States Read
Casarah Nance United States Flag United States Read
Paul Callus Malta Flag Malta Read
Joseph May United States Flag United States Read
Vassilis Comporozos Greece Flag Greece Read
Jslambert Mister Roboto United States Flag United States Read
Maurice Yvonne Canada Flag Canada Read
Jan Allison Isle Of Man Flag Isle Of Man Read
Mark Trichet Australia Flag Australia Read
John Fleming United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
David Meade United States Flag United States Read
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Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry