Two Decades, One Becoming: Life. God. People

By Candace Polk

Spanning 24 years, this collection traces the journey of a voice growing up, finding itself, and learning what it means to live fully. These poems and short stories begin in the curiosity and vulnerability of youth-the first heartbreaks, the first moments of love, the small discoveries that quietly shape who we are-and move through the messy, beautiful complexity of adulthood. Every line reflects not just what happened, but how it felt: the laughter, the pain, the longing, and the moments of quiet reflection that linger long after the day is done.

Through reflections on life, love, and everything in between, these poems explore growth in its many forms: the exhilaration of beginnings, the ache of loss, the tension between hope and fear, and the resilience we find along the way. They are at once personal and universal, intimate and wide-ranging-snapshots of a life that is lived deeply, honestly, and without apology. Joy and heartbreak sit side by side, faith wavers and strengthens, and love-romantic, platonic, familial, and self-directed-threads through each page, showing us what it means to open ourselves fully, to lose, to forgive, and to grow.

Raw, honest, and deeply human, this collection bears witness to the moments that define us. It is a chronicle of transformation, from the innocence of youth to the self-awareness of adulthood, from silence to the courage to speak one's truth. Each poem is proof of experience-evidence of feelings felt, lessons learned, and the quiet work of becoming.

These poems also ask the bigger questions: Who are we when no one is watching? How do we navigate life's twists and turns and still stay true to ourselves? They honor the small victories, the heartbreaks, the doubts, and the revelations that make life feel both fragile and miraculous. Through it all, the collection invites readers into a shared human journey, one that is as much about noticing the ordinary as it is about celebrating the extraordinary.

From adolescence to adulthood, every poem is a testament to living fully, to loving boldly, and to learning along the way. These pages hold the evidence of a life observed and felt deeply, offering glimpses of both the poet's story and the truths we all recognize in our own lives.

I am the evidence. This collection is a witness to the enduring power of words, the resilience of the human spirit, and the beauty of transformation over time. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and remember that life-messy, fleeting, and breathtaking-is meant to be felt, shared, and remembered.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H6L5CBVD
• ISBN13: 9798242466432
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"