Life's Report Card

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book of poetry? What stopped you? Due to lack of faith/confidence, laziness, the publishing bureaucracy, the economics of publishing poetry and the general tendency to put off until tomorrow what can be done today, what may be great works never see the light of day. Author John Shtino's near-death experience moved him to try to get several projects left hanging completed. "Life's Report Card: The Trying Game is one of them. He believes that most talents are inherited with the recipient either using or squandering their talent. Many of his poems deal with love lost, mental illness, compulsive gambling, philosophy and chances not taken (the what ifs of life). In Dear Son, he writes "I hope...that roads not traveled do not haunt you." The poet often writes from personal experience. An especially poignant poem called Air Burial conveys this army veteran's feelings in a way that is especially relevant today.