Robert J. Tiess | Self-Publishing Review

Review: May We Learn From the Earth by Robert J. Tiess

With this stunning observational record of the natural world, poet Robert J. Tiess has curated a brilliant collection in May We Learn From the Earth: Nature Poems and Reflections on the Environment.

A self-described ecopoet with a remarkable eye for the secret beauty and subtle wonders of nature, this is both an homage to the Earth and a desperate plea for a shift in collective consciousness. From academic and allusion-laced verses to thoughtful personal poems that reflect the writer’s own experience, this broad-ranging book feels both contemporary and timeless.

“Ecclesiastes of the Earth” is one of the strongest poems […]

The Humbling and Other Poems by Robert J. Tiess

A momentous and impressive display of carefully crafted poetry, The Humbling and Other Poems by Robert J. Tiess is a complex yet accessible collection.

Balancing experimental rhyme schemes and free verse poems with traditional patterns and melodic bursts of language, the breadth of Tiess’ technical skill is impressive. Meticulous in his meter and self-imposed structures, it is clear how much curation and editing has gone into every line of this collection. The imagery ranges from predictable and iconic to radically creative and clever, but the rhythmic flow of word choice stands out as the most exceptional element.

Broken into seven […]