All of the poems in Lean In were written as I "leaned into" my heart, as I paid attention to the feelings that my life experience evoked, including my experience of the world at large. The poems are based in love, awareness of my limitations and mortality, and compassion for those who suffer. It is my great hope that the poems in Lean In will offer comfort, healing, validation, or insight. With a firm belief that we are all undeniably connected, as per the lines from the poem, "Thoughts I Cannot Share: " ..". there is a part of that guy in me and a part of me in him...," may we honor the qualities we all share.