As a teenager, Michael Lane only wrote when necessary. He had nothing against writing: he was – and is – an avid reader. He simply saw no need to write outside of satisfying his academic requirements. That was before he spent time with poetry. Poetry became his first creative writing love. They began dating in high school, and she remains his longest-running love affair.

Mortal Thoughts is a culmination of decades of intimate conversations the two have shared. The topics range from love to hate, hope and despair. There is social commentary, introspection, nature, observations, and more. Some of the poems may come at you in a whisper. Others scream in your face. Most of his poetry requests a brief audience to share a fascinating insight or revelation. Michael hopes that you will enjoy reading the poems in Mortal Thoughts as much as he enjoyed writing them.