Robert J. Tiess
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Robert J. Tiess
@robertjtiess.bsky.social
880 followers 980 following 810 posts
Published poet/author/writer
Poetry/nature/library/education advocate
Musician artist philosopher
Career in libraries
Married to Sandra Sprague

Books:
+ Gracious Nature
+ May We Learn from the Earth
+ The Humbling & Other Poems

robertjtiess.wordpress.com
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Robert J. Tiess @robertjtiess.bsky.social · Nov 28
My poetry collections:

Gracious Nature:
Poems on Earth and Life

May We Learn from the Earth:
Nature Poems and Reflections
on the Environment

The Humbling and Other Poems

Books include essays.

More Info + Book Reviews:
robertjtiess.wordpress.com

#booksky #poetry #books #poetrycommunity #reading
The image contains five areas: three book covers, a small photo of the author, and an area of text that says: About the Poet: Recognized for crafting clear, creative, and compelling works, Robert J. Tiess began writing poetry in the 1980s. A SUNY New Paltz graduate with an English Literature degree, Robert has enjoyed an inspiring career in public libraries since 1995. His acclaimed poetry explores nature, human nature, and much more. You can explore his books and reviews of his publications at www.RobertJTiess.net. The three book covers are 1: GRACIOUS NATURE: POEMS ON EARTH AND LIFE. 2: MAY WE LEARN FROM THE EARTH: NATURE POEMS AND REFLECTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. 3: THE HUMBLING AND OTHER POEMS. ALL THREE BOOKS ARE BY ROBERT J. TIESS.
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My poem Nova Lux

(paired here with a 3D sculpting project of mine from 2007).

Nova Lux is Latin for New Light.

Why Latin?

I think it fits with the "old becoming new again" spirit of this poem.

Happy New Year!

#poetry #poem #winter #snow #happiness #renewal #rebirth #hope #joy #newyear #renewal
Image credit: Winter's Givings by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2007 Alt text description: three polar bears (one small, one medium, one large) watch snowflakes descend. The polar bears seem entranced if not amused. The snowflakes are large, richly geometrical, and highly stylized. There is snow throughout the picture and a hint of stars in the background. It's an enchanted sort of image, not photorealistic, one focusing mostly on the natural beauty and magic of winter. Nova Lux Why wait for spring's revival when rebirth may come mid-winter—now! Broke moments cry for restoration, resurrecting Hopefulness. Dawn, you need not wait for Night. The age of Light dwells outside time. Come, reawaken, Dreams of Peace! Be Optimistic Lazarus! We'll marvel at the simplest things, crawl back to life with newborn eyes! Let stars and snowflakes fascinate! Familiar Things, astonish us! And let's go meet our former selves and see how strange we feigned back then. Revisiting all starting points! Rejuvenescence! Youth resumes! Within this sprightly wilder light, today may be our renaissance! . Poem by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2025
December 31, 2025 at 11:54 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
No need to wait for Valentine's Day.

Let's replenish hearts with love today.

Love being alive.

Love being yourself.

Love more...
the Earth...
the Moon...
the universe!

Love more! Love love!

See love is divine.

Believe in its powers.

Know you are loved!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#poetry #love #inspirational
Image credit: Let Your Heart Overflow with Love by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2011 Alt text description: the image is filled with traditional simple symbols of hearts reaching out in all directions. There are smaller hearts within larger hearts, brighter hearts among darker hearts. Many hearts are overlapping, and most are interconnected. The image overflows with love as hearts go past the margins of the image, perhaps into infinity or eternity.
December 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My Open Prayer for Progress, Peace, and Unity

now updated with an Afterword...

I hope it resonates with some of you.

Thank you for hearing these words.

bsky.app/profile/robe...

#poetry #peace #newyear #unity #prayers #love #happynewyear #truth #hope #together
robertjtiess.bsky.social Robert J. Tiess @robertjtiess.bsky.social · 6d
Please let us approach the coming new year

and every new day going forth

in the magnificent manner of our most luminous and loving selves.

I invite you read my Open Prayer for Progress, Peace, and Unity...

robertjtiess.medium.com/an-open-pray...

#poetry #peace #newyear #unity #prayers #love
An Open Prayer for Individual & Societal Progress, Peace, and Unity in the New Year and Every Year…
by Robert J. Tiess
robertjtiess.medium.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
Please let us approach the coming new year

and every new day going forth

in the magnificent manner of our most luminous and loving selves.

I invite you read my Open Prayer for Progress, Peace, and Unity...

robertjtiess.medium.com/an-open-pray...

#poetry #peace #newyear #unity #prayers #love
An Open Prayer for Individual & Societal Progress, Peace, and Unity in the New Year and Every Year…
by Robert J. Tiess
robertjtiess.medium.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #haiku for #DailyHaikuPrompt
#cold #full #moon theme
___________________________________

cool blue luminous,
full moon over lava lakes:
night melts into light

___________________________________
#poetry #poem © me 2025

@dailyhaikuprompt.mastodon.world.ap.brid.gy
December 30, 2025 at 4:35 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
Some older peaceful piano pieces of mine,
shared here to send more peace into the world.

Sending blessings, peace, love, and joy to all!

May your 2026 be beautifully uplifting🩵

Music link:
www.reverbnation.com/robertjtiess...

#music #peace #tranquility #calmness #instrumentals #piano #pianomusic
www.reverbnation.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:11 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
For #vssdaily #sit
.

FROM A BENCH

light's yellow
horns bellow
I sit

crossers wait
I sit
skaters skate

I sit
paper tumbles
leaves crumble

joggers jog
I sit
couples snog

pigeons near
pigeons clear
I sit

shoppers shop
I go
tourists stop

neon blaze
gazers gaze
radios play

.
#poetry #poem
©2025
December 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My essay on one of the biggest fears I've faced for the longest time as a poet...

Facing & Embracing Our Uncertainties
as Poets & Writers Aspiring to
Mean and Move and Matter
in this Meandering World

robertjtiess.medium.com/facing-embra...

#poetry #poets #writers #writing #poetrylovers #authors
Facing & Embracing Our Uncertainties as Poets & Writers Aspiring to Mean and Move and Matter in…
an essay by Robert J. Tiess
robertjtiess.medium.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:42 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My poem "Landscape Painting Meditations"

on art and painting as healing, mind-clearing, soul-renewing...

ALT text + poem text link:
allpoetry.com/poem/1885158...

#poem #poetry #poetrycommunity #poems #art #painting #healing #selfcare #selfhelp #peace #meditation
THE TITLE OF THE POEM: Landscape Painting Meditations .THE POEM: No stony summits grating sky. No heavens drenched in heavy grays. Today, I'm painting clarity, azure softness, snowy heights, and water slowed to mirroring ethereal serenity, an art of healing, comforting, forgiving, living for the light, with calmness reaching everybody, earth at peace with everything. .THE END OF THE POEM. Poem by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2025
December 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My poem "Your Alexandria"

on someone hoping to understand another

(includes a reference to the Library of Alexandria: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library...)

Hope you enjoy this.

ALT text in image

+ poem link: allpoetry.com/poem/1884857...

#poetry #poems #understanding #library #libraries #metaphors
THE TITLE OF THE POEM: Your Alexandria THE POEM: How many aisles, high and deep with volumes of uncommon knowledge, stock your mind's bright library? What might I find in that fine light? New truths? Perspectives? Lessons? Dreams? Experiences? Histories? Imagination hesitates, but I've my theories, plus a hunch there's plenty esoterica: I picture parchment, cobwebbed scrolls, if read (and ever understood), unlocking cosmic scholarship, part arcane wisdom figured lost in flaming Alexandria, then something of eleven worlds, each humbling me with untold shelves, which verse me in my nescience yet urge me to skim all I can, if I could stay past closing time, leave one lamp lit, read for an hour, ten minutes, just one chapter. Please. . THE END OF THE POEM. Poem by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2025
December 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #tanka for #TankaThursday
#true theme

.

Magnetic north roams,
misdirecting compasses;
but we know true north!
Who would let themselves get lost
following false directions?

.

#TankaPoem #micropoetry
#poetry #poem © me 2025
#travel #truth #metaphors

@evecastle.bsky.social
@pvcannon.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 4:07 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
For #vss365 #survive
.

OUT OF DOORS

Snow lingers, hardens
in dark corners.

Fences, roofs,
more walls obstruct

the sun or warmth
from thawing long,

until March rains
purge every nook.

Is that survival?
Failing light?

How chills persist
or shadows win?

.
#poetry
©me 2025
@vss365hq.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 2:49 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
I wish all my friends, fans, colleagues, and fellow poets and artists a peaceful and heartening holiday.

I'm grateful for each of you.

I hope 2026 brings you the lasting joy, fulfillment, and serenity you deserve.

💙 Robert

#poetrycommunity #writingcommunity
#readingcommunity #christmas #holidays
The Ephemeral Aesthetics of Snowflakes by Robert J. Tiess, Copyright 2014. The image features a large bright multi-faceted and iridescent snowflake that seems like it could very well be the star on top of a giant Christmas tree. Smaller snowflakes appear in the background.
December 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My poem "Remontant"

on re-discovering earth's wonders.

The title (blooming more than once) connects with the poem's speaker reawakening to nature's inspirations.

🌸

ALT text
+ poem link: allpoetry.com/poem/1884468...

#poetry #poems #nature #flowers #trees #plants #earth #awareness #appreciation
THE TITLE OF THE POEM: Remontant .THE POEM: Why now, much closer than before, do I trace furrows, scales, and search for finer lines in barks of poplar, maple, pine, and oak? Why am I eavesdropping on all these crows, or listening for finches, sparrows, larks, or waiting lakeside for returning geese? I've sensed and loved extraordinary things, the unseen owls, hid lotuses in mud, sequoia giants, monarchs, banyan trees. My eyes, more like the canyons, grander, part on earth I've scanned but barely scratched as deep. Fresh clarity brings urgent light to life! Hydrangeas, were you as full as this? Wisteria! You've beautified my years! How many morning glories did I miss? .THE END OF THE POEM. Poem by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2025
December 24, 2025 at 10:14 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #poem "Snow Globe Knowings"

paralleled here with an older 3D art project of mine.

Alt text in both images

+ poem text link:
allpoetry.com/poem/1884163...

Wishing all of you a sweet and peaceful holiday.🎀

#poetry #winter #snow #snowglobes #snowman #confirmationbias #reality #truth #metaphors
Image credit: Microcosm by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2007 Alt text description: there is a traditionally-arrayed snowman (complete with a hat and a carrot nose) inside a snow globe. inside, he is accompanied by the glitter of fake snow suspended in water, several candy canes, and some indications of snow at his feet. The snow globe base is fairly ornate with little decorations of gold dots, latticework, and circles of green and red. Outside of the snow globe there are large snow flakes falling as the snowman seems to look at them with perhaps a wishful or wistful expression. A NOTE ABOUT THE POEM: THE TEXT OF THIS POEM IS CENTERED, AND THERE ARE THREE PROGRESSIVELY LARGER STANZAS THAT ARE ROUGHLY-ROUND, IN KEEPING WITH THE "SNOW GLOBE" AND "GLASS SPHERE" IMAGERY OF THE POEM. THE TITLE POEM IS: SNOW GLOBE KNOWINGS. THIS IS THE POEM: Snow Globe Knowings Inside, it's winter all year round, until somebody quakes your world; then spinning glitter glistens with a Christmas wishful stardust light that shimmers in this liquid magic (amniotic, if you're borne by colder bolder sober truths of what a globe contains, restrains, and how glass can distort reports of goings-on outside what lies past bleary spheres of biased eyes) .THE END OF THE POEM. Poem by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2025
December 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
Three #senryu
for #SenryuSunday

*

cities shrouding stars?
halos hiding heavens now?
blame our bright ideas

*

flashy meteors
demanding much attention
yet saying nothing

*

Venus, Jupiter:
planets outperforming stars?
stage light trickery

*

#poetry #space
#poem © me 2025

@jennfel.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #poem...
.

THE GLOW OF KNOWING

Past caverns and valleys,
through bleak thoroughfares,

days layered in fog
or nights robbed of dawn,

and clearings eclipsed
by shadows and shambles,

let's lift up lanterns,
send forth more light,

illuminate what
our ignorance hid.

.
#poetry #light
© me 2025
Image credit: Fearless through the Shadow Valley by Robert J. Tiess Copyright © 2016 Alt text description: A person holding a lantern illuminates a valley full of shadows. The person approaches us, the viewers. The valley sides are dark, but the small lantern casts strong light. And this is appropriate, as this image draws inspiration directly from the Biblical book of Psalms 23 ("Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;").
December 21, 2025 at 3:57 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #haiku #DailyHaikuPrompt
#sleet #blooming

---===------===------===---

sleet becoming rain
reinvigorating earth
blooming to renew

---===------===------===---

#ice #winter #spring #rain
#seasons #rebirth #poetry
#poem © me 2025

@dailyhaikuprompt.mastodon.world.ap.brid.gy
December 21, 2025 at 1:46 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
I updated and expanded an old essay of mine:

Consequential Resonance
robertjtiess.medium.com/consequentia...

It's about poetry, music, and art resonating, dominating, inspiring...

Hope you enjoy it!

#poetry #music #art #history #inspiration #power #authors #writers #musicians #artists #influence
Consequential Resonance
Intonations, Ideas, and Images Resonating Beyond the Temporal Noise of Life to Reach Impactful Impressions Among Audiences
robertjtiess.medium.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:34 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
For #vss365
#apogee

.

ANTI THIS IS

Ravines were termed
our apogees
when dust put ends
to steady thirst

and constancy
flowed mutably
between the leniency
of stones

when sadness gladdened
padded minds
of "leaders"
meaning "followers"

when infamies
implied we're
great.

.

#poetry #poem
© me 2025
December 14, 2025 at 5:32 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My review of

Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard
by Benjamin Ryan

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

5 out of 5 STARS.

Recommended for all mystery and fiction fans.

@brclothwrites.bsky.social

#books #reviews #mystery #mysteries #readingcommunity #newbooks #bookreviews #thrillers #booknews #fiction
Robert J. Tiess's review of Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard
5/5: My review of Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard by Benjamin Ryan Many novelists have taken up the very formidable challenge of writing mysteries that have the potential to feel not quite like any...
www.goodreads.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:09 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
POETRY NEWS

U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze's Inauguration

Library of Congress video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yaj...
(introduction + poetry reading)

About the Poet:
newsroom.loc.gov/news/library...

www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/arthur...

#poetry #poets #readingcommunity #literature #books #read
U.S. Poet Laureate Inaugural Event Celebrating Arthur Sze
YouTube video by Library of Congress
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:41 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
COMING JANUARY 2026

Eureka
by Victoria Chang

"A gorgeous and emotionally resonant novel-in-verse" that "sensitively and lyrically renders the tragic events surrounding the 1885 expulsion of Chinese Americans from Eureka, California."

About the Book
us.macmillan.com/books/978037...

#poetry #books
Eureka
For fans of Inside Out and Back Again, Other Words for Home, and A Place to Hang the Moon -- Eureka is a gorgeous and emotionally resonant novel-in-verse by ...
us.macmillan.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
My #haiku offering for
the #DailyHaikuPrompt
#star #fragrance theme

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

eclipsing the stars
jasmine and gardenia,
honeysuckle whiffs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#poetry #poem
#flowers #scents
haiku © me 2025

@dailyhaikuprompt.mastodon.world.ap.brid.gy
December 12, 2025 at 5:46 AM
robertjtiess.bsky.social
Individuals. Iconoclasts. Inquirers. Innovators.

Poetry is nothing without such persons.

Conformity, status quo, limits, or cowardice won't advance poetry.

Because so many poets stay true to themselves, their subjects, and their craft, poetry can flourish and still evolve.

#poetry #individuality
Image Credit: "One of the Many Advantages of Being Different" by Robert J. Tiess, Copyright © 2009. This image features a giant red U-shaped magnet standing on its magnetic tips on a table. Around each of its two magnetic tips are dozens of small metal paperclips stuck to it. There is a larger blue paperclip seemingly unaffected by the magnet, perhaps because it is not made of metal. Whatever the case, it's in its own space and not caught up in the inescapable magnetic attractions the other paperclips are inextricably experiencing.
December 11, 2025 at 2:19 AM