Michael Cramer was born on June 16, 1949 in Gevelsberg, Germany. From 1969-1974 he studied education, music and physical education at the university of Mainz. Following his studies, he worked as a secondary-school teacher in the Neukoelln district of Berlin from 1975-1995. In parallel, he got involved in local politics and served as spokesman for transportation issues of the Green Party in the parliament of the Land Berlin (Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus) from 1989 to 2004. Since 2004 Michael Cramer has been a Member of the European Parliament and in this function acts as speaker for the Green Party in the committee on transport and tourism.

Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot just by watching." Michael Cramer has been a keen observer of everyday life encountered as he was walking or driving around town, while working, or watching children at play. He describes life as it is, surrounded by the lives of thousands of others, including interactions as well as observations and sharing the reality to which he is a witness.Poetry is the art of taking pictures with words, and these poems are the pictures Cramer has taken while watching life unfold around him. From the jarring images presented in "Holy City" to the touching memories and warm, loving thoughts of a father in "My Child," Cramer captures the images and emotions that inhabit our lives in Vignettes in Paled Light.My ChildHow I long to caress your cheekgaze deep into your eyes, into your heartsee the memories there of time pastthe good and the bad, both joyous and sadthe sporting events, musical presentations, recitals and reviews.Family memories, time sharedwrestling with your siblings, tickling and being tickledthe blessing of your giggles, your laughterthe heart rending experience of your first tearsEvery time you cried ...