RISE celebrates the diversity of our beautiful planet and its inhabitants and it unveils harsh truths that need to be faced before we can experience total-world transformation. Most importantly, it inspires us to dive deep within ourselves and truly introspect, especially during these uncertain times fraught with fear, racism, and societal collapse. " A rousing collection of poems that celebrates all that makes life worth living and justice worth fighting for ." - Publishers Weekly BookLife Review " Rise covers an impressively wide sprawl of topics and poetic forms. The romance-inspired poetry reveals an intense, hot-hearted passion, while the spiritual pieces in the second section are packed with advice from lived experience, and the final chapter addressing social issues feels timely and relevant. The ambition and passion behind these poems make for a wide-ranging and emotive collection ." - Self-Publishing Review This third book of poetry is the charm! It is the culmination of several years of writing and honing my craft. It includes potent messages, inspirational notions, and thought-provoking ideologies; but it also includes messages of love and hope and a couple of flash fiction stores. ADDITIONAL POETRY EXCERPT: How Do I Love You, Nature?   How do I love you, nature? Let me confess the ways: I love you for how you tingle all my senses, bringing so much joy and stimulation to my days.   I am overwhelmed by your palette of colors and the different paintings you provide for my eyes. It's a stunning visual gift for artists and lovers, and I feel blessed that I can enjoy the glory.   Just when I thought you had no more to give, you bombard me with a symphony for my ears. When I strain the sounds through a musical sieve, the art, beauty, and rhythm of it all brings me to tears.   I am so happy that you are all around me, and I hope you will always give me so much joy. "RISE celebrates the diversity of our beautiful planet and its inhabitants and it unveils harsh truths that need to be faced before we can experience total-world transformation. Most importantly, it inspires us to dive deep within ourselves and truly introspect, especially during these uncertain times fraught with fear, racism, and societal collapse." - Eva Xan, Poetry Book Editor Henry Lee Thomas is an aspiring writer with a non-ending thirst for knowledge whose skills and interests span many areas and subjects including writing, poetry, music, photography, science, self-help, and continuous process improvement.   He is an active member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).   His publications include The Family Reunion Bible (2021), Mental Streams: Poems of the Heart and Soul (2020), Poems in the Keys of Life (2019), and Men's Guide to Being a Single Parent (2014).   His work has also appeared in the Spillwords Press (November 2020), the Nzuri Journal of Coastline College (May 2021), and the Valiant Scribe Literary Journal Issue Two: Vultures & Doves: Social Issues of Our Time (December 2021). His Mental Streams book was also featured in the July 2021 issue of the Publishers Weekly's Booklife Indie Spotlight.   He has a B.A. in Mathematics from Oberlin College and a M.S. in Operations Research from the University of Iowa.