Author: Lisa Hale Vandergriff

ISBN: 978-1-970530-01-8 Paperback

ISBN: 978-1-970530-02-5 Hardcover

Specifications:

6″ x 9″
148 pages
Black & White: Creme

A journey of self-discovery sparked by the words we never expected to hear.

This collection of poetry captures the volatile moment when external judgment meets internal awakening. Born from a single, sharp confrontation on a December night, these verses document a transformation from the sting of being told “you aren’t ready” to the powerful realization that readiness is a self-defined path.

Through the lens of a shifting friendship and the bittersweet clarity of hindsight, these poems explore the delicate balance between heartbreak and healing. With raw honesty, the author peels back layers of hidden fears and unspoken desires, uncovering a universal truth: that some people enter our lives not to stay, but to act as catalysts.

Ode to the Unknown is an invitation to anyone who has been silenced or misunderstood. It is a testament to the doors we open for ourselves and a celebration of the heart’s ability to find its own destiny amidst the ruins of what we thought we knew.

What readers are saying:

“What sets Vandy apart is she writes from the heart. Her poems are fresh and depart from the cliche to show us that love can be beautiful and can be warlike, a la Napoleon Bonaparte.”

~ Joshua “Olo” Good, comedian, writer, activist, artist

“Lisa brings to life deep emotions from the quiet corners of the ordinary, giving voice to moments we feel but rarely put into words.”

~ Andrea Andorfer, teacher at Veritas Classical Schools and Foothills Regional High School

“I found myself not only reading these poems, but actually feeling like I was a part of them. The poems definitely evoked thoughts and sentiments on a personal level while also being quite enjoyable.”

~ Nancy Akin, writer