Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is a rich tapestry of experience from a poet who speaks the nuanced language of love, family, history, and heritage. Lee Orlich Bertram explores and celebrates the personal as well as the universal in this clear-eyed, heartfelt debut, and in doing so, provides yet another beautiful facet of what it means to be fully human. —Annie Lampman, author of Sins of the Bees and Professor of honors creative writing, Washington State University
A lyrical feast for the mind and heart.
—Mary Ellen Bramwell, best-selling author of The Apple of My Eye
Biography of Novelist and Poet Lee Orlich Bertram June 2024
American novelist and poet Lee Orlich Bertram hails originally from Los Angeles coming from a family with deep roots in the former Yugoslavia and Germany. She currently makes her home on the beautiful Palouse in Moscow, Idaho. Lee earned her BA, MA, and PhD from the University of California, Irvine and her JD from the University of Idaho. Lee began her professional life originally in K-12 education, holding positions from teacher to superintendent of schools. She moved to Idaho to attend law school and set up her law practice in the states of Idaho and Washington. She still practices law while writing and for the last several years has taught business law and the law of international trade at Washington State University. Since her earliest years, Lee has been a prolific writer. Encouraged by her family, who nurtured her flair for the dramatic, she developed a large collection of poems, short stories, and the beginnings of novels. Her debut book of poems, Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance, released in June 2024, reflects the impact of people and events on her life loaded with deep emotion and personal detail. Best-selling author, Mary Ellen Bramwell, described the work as “A lyrical feast for the mind and heart.” Lee’s first novel in a new series, Vengeance of the Vanished Ones—Book One, was released in late November 2024. This novel is an action-packed, archaeological mystery designed to keep readers engaged, surprised, and wondering what comes next. When Lee is not writing or practicing law, she enjoys playing piano, sitting on boards of directors, reading, cooking, and studying archaeology and Egyptology, a lifelong pursuit. She is well-traveled, multilingual, and enjoys the beauty of the Palouse region with her husband of many years, Dr. Jack Hill, and their fur and feather children.
A collection of poetry with deep reflection of life
The poems are a beautiful range offering a look at the human experience. Some selections explore the depths of family and heritage, the impacts of finding the truth in your identity and the emotional feelings of personal growth.
The poems are written in a simple yet elegant language that makes this a perfect collection for those that are wanting to venture into the world of poetry. The writing style is so simple to connect to, deep yet accessible to the mind and soul. The collection has something for everyone to relate with, it feels like you are really connecting with author on an intellectual level. This poetry collection is such a joy, you should give this a chance, you will not be disappointed!
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance, by Lee Orlich Bertram, is a collection of poetry that delves into deeply personal reflections on life, love, history, and the passage of time. The poems range from intimate family memories to meditations on world events, offering readers a mosaic of emotions and thoughts. Bertram explores themes of identity, heritage, personal growth, and the impact of historical moments, with each piece contributing to a wider narrative of human experience.
From the start, I was struck by the accessibility of Bertram’s writing. The language isn’t overly complicated, which makes it easy to connect with the emotions in the poems. Bertram captures the essence of the creative process, and I found myself nodding along with the quiet longing for inspiration that comes when writing doesn’t come easily. The simplicity of the words invites readers into Bertram’s world without any pretension, which is something I really appreciated. It made me feel like I was having a conversation with the author, rather than reading something distant and inaccessible. There are moments when the collection dives into deeper, more layered imagery that feels profound without being overwhelming. "Traveling Through Jasmine Nights," for instance, blends sensual descriptions of nature with personal reflection, transporting me into the author’s memories with vivid, aromatic language. I loved how the scent of jasmine became more than just a detail—it was a bridge to nostalgia and personal escape. This balance between the everyday and the poetic makes the collection feel grounded while still giving space for introspection.
I also found the historical references woven into the collection particularly compelling. Life on the Hindenburg uses the tragedy of the airship disaster as a metaphor for political and societal upheaval, which was both chilling and thought-provoking. It is one of those poems readers will want to sit with for a moment after reading. The way Bertram ties personal and global history together gave the collection a sense of weight, reminding me of how personal narratives are often shaped by larger historical forces.
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is a heartfelt and reflective collection that will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry grounded in both personal and historical experience. Bertram’s writing is accessible yet thoughtful, making it a great choice for anyone looking to explore themes of identity, memory, and resilience. Whether you are new to poetry or a seasoned reader, you’ll find something to connect with in Bertram's selections.
I believe Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance by Lee Orlich Bertram is a collection of poems that depicts the author's experiences in life - from what happened in the past and how it became different in the present. This is a great example of LIFE HAPPENS. It'll take you by surprise. I liked how the author created these from the fragments of her life which the readers can resonate with. This also explores history and some political views, attempting to understand what happened in the past and how it will shape our future. The author's passages gave a wonderful perception on general experiences but the writing is unique and wise. I love it and I have favorites among them:
On The Road, Down the Road, Turn off the Road Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance Continuance Friendship Rebounds Whispers for a Future Self
These are the poems that I was moved and affected by easily. Some portray collective experiences that you can relate to someone else's. It's wonderful how you can impart your wisdom to someone who is currently experiencing what you went through. It serves as an advice and a guidance. We are connected to one another. This will make you realize that our actions and decisions impact someone else, creating a ripple effect.
Some have the representation of the cycle of life. People's views or influence are being insisted on us. Then, we persist during these challenging times in life where everything seems unbearable. And, there comes resistance when at a point in life, we do not like changes but they are inevitable. The author mentioned here, "Insist, persist, resist—actions learned, but never internalized."
This is the first collection of poems I've read and I do not regret reading it.
Synopsis: Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is a rich tapestry of experience from a poet who speaks the nuanced language of love, family, history, and heritage. Lee Orlich Bertram explores and celebrates the personal as well as the universal in this clear-eyed, heartfelt debut, and in doing so, provides yet another beautiful facet of what it means to be fully human.
Review: If you've followed me for a long time, you already know I'm such a sucker for poetry.
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is a prime example why I'll always have love for this genre. IPR is a heartfelt collection of art that will give fellow poetry readers the satisfaction to be heard and related to.
Bertrams way of writing is suburb. There's so many different themes such as memory of what was, identity of who you are, and everyday life.
Whether you're a lover of the poetry genre or you're new to the genre; I'm sure there's something for everyone in this debut novel.
I wonder if the saying goes for poetry like it does opera. Either you love it, or you hate it. What do you think?
I do not always understand the ones I read on the tube, at no fault of the author. Perhaps I couldn’t relate, like I did this collection in a way. Then, it is perhaps meant to be felt rather than read. 😊
This is my first review of a poem, other than the ones on the tube, I haven’t read much poetry. With the exception of those being forced upon us at school, robbed from the joy of discovering what you wanted to read for yourself. You might have liked it then.
For me, this collection was a collection of small stories I found.
I think a part of the reason why I enjoyed this collection of poems so much is that I can relate. They are about life. And I have lived. I think I am more open to poetry now than before reading this collection, and I think that is great!
And I was laughing oh so heartedly at ‘Not impressed by his French kiss’. I've been there, done that. 😉
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is the debut poetry collection written by Lee Orlich Bertram.
Filled with poetry written in lyrical and musical prose, she explores the inner workings of her mind and her memories, her heritage and her life with rich, vivid imagery.
My favorites are those discussing perception and finding the key within, her beautiful memories of her family and her grandmother, who taught her so much more than how to toss a salad, a poem that is a declaration of her love for her presence, love and guidance.
These are poems written with deep, insightful meaning that are music to my mind, another favorite poem and line from the book:
"What are you saying, strangely there muttering to yourself- to your God? How is your world - full of love? Painless to shut me out, the non believer..." - Waiting for Mr. H
I absolutely recommend this book to all poetry lovers and poets alike. 5 out of 5! 💖
Lee Orlich Bertram’s beautiful poetry collection “Insistence, Persistence and Resistance” brims full of optimistic, evocative poems. There’s such a sense of calmness in this collection. I enjoyed reading so many of these eloquent poems. And I have quite a few favourites. A particular favourite of mine is “The Private Scaffold”, the poems brings forth feelings of nostalgia and attachment through vivid imagery and symbols, a hint of yearning and longing for the past. Another poem I found rather touching is “Light Sensations” which clearly delves into a lesson in patience for the speaker and the readers as well. There’s so many other remarkable poems as well that I’d love to share however, I would leave you to explore them on your own. Happy Reading!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance" is a debut poetry collection by Lee Orlich Bertram that explores themes of love, family, history, and heritage. The writing is simple and accessible, making it easy to connect with, while the vivid descriptions bring each poem to life. Some poems lean more toward traditional poetry, while others beautifully capture memories and personal experiences.
My favorite pieces from this collection were "Anxious I Was" and "Angles of Love".
A wonderful choice for poetry lovers, whether seasoned readers or those just beginning to explore the genre.
In Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance, Lee Orlich Bertram invites us on a heartfelt journey through the highs and lows of human existence. These poems capture the intimate details of love and family allowing readers to feel as if they are sharing deep conversations with a close friend. Each poem reflects moments of personal growth and discovery. You'll find pieces that make you smile, others that may draw a thoughtful pause, and all of them will remind you of the threads that connect us all in this journey called life. If you're someones who loves poetry or you want to explore this form of art then Bertram's work is a perfect choice for you.
Insightful And Provocative! I so enjoyed reading Bertram’s poetry, a compilation of personal, insightful reflections that are a window to her soul. Like any great poetry, it should be read and digested, then read again. It is then that I found common ground in her wonderful prose and was pulled into a roller coaster ride of emotions—sadness, anger, hope, humor, and more. A good novel can be enjoyed many times, but good poetry is timeless. It can mean something different every time you read it because it can be a reflection of your own life which is always in flux. Buy a ticket and take the ride. You will undoubtedly find yourself somewhere within her verse. I highly recommend!
This poetry collection has a really cozy, atmospheric feel. It’s like reading by a fireplace on a winter night. Bertram paints everyday life beautifully, touching on heritage, family, and love with a mix of styles that make each poem feel unique. That said, I found myself wanting a stronger connection to the speaker to really get invested. The poems are short and easy to read, making it a nice quick book to flip through when you’re in the mood for something reflective. Overall, it’s a good read, but I just wanted a little more depth to pull me in.
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is Bertram‘s debut poetry book. Her poems explore everyday life in a beautiful way, exploring her eclectic heritage, family, teenage years, and love. The style of the poems varies a bit, but they all convey a unique way of looking at the world and finding beauty in everyday activities. She gently guides us down through important events of her life using all senses, flavors and colors, weaving a rich tapestry with few sentences.
Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance is a beautiful collection of poetry that weaves together personal reflection, history, and the beauty of everyday life. Bertram’s writing is easy to read, making it accessible to any poetry lover, whether it's your first collection or you're a seasoned reader. One of my favorite poems was Brilliant Bliss.
Lee Orlich Bertram has harvested an exquisite collection of very personal poems revealing her memories and heritage. In doing so, she relates how nature unceasingly allows us to revisit these places, accessing them by tmeans of the most basic, primal sensations.