Book excerpt: 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. --iUniverse, Inc.