NATCHEZ &8212; Copiah-Lincoln community College will present a collection of poetry Wednesday inspired by conversations with soldiers who served in Iraq.

Mark LaFrancis, journalism and broadcasting instructor, and others will present the reading at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the W.L. Nelson Multi-Purpose Room in the Redd/Watkins Career and Technical Education Center free of charge.

Each poem will tell a story relating to a soldier or loved one.

&8220;I have been a writer for nearly all my life,&8221; LaFrancis said in a statement Monday.

&8220;This by far is one of the most rewarding projects in which I&8217;ve been involved.&8221;

The project began with the goal of enlightening readers about the feelings of soldiers and their loved ones, LaFrancis said.

There are 150 poems in the collection, &8220;In Their Boots: Poems Inspired by Soldiers and Their Loved Ones.&8221;

&8220;People have opened their hearts and souls during our conversations, so the program is deeply moving and meaningful,&8221; LaFrancis said.

For more information, call the Co-Lin dean&8217;s office at 601-446-1209.