Book excerpt: The series of anthologies: These Human Shores, of which this book is the first, will explore the nature of life from birth to death. The theme of this book was chosen by our founder, Ron Wiseman. As editor of These Human Shores, he has creatively and wisely chosen poems that will not only celebrate life, but will reawaken the feelings we all have about the wonder and splendor of living. The fountains of words that are displayed upon these pages speak from the lives of brilliant poets from all over the world. From wise words to enchanting tales and funny stories of babyhood, through the vast array of stories and anecdotes of toddlerhood, this book describes the beginning of life from many perspectives, then it becomes much more reflective as we bring you the greatest treasures of life: "Memories through sessions of sweet silent thought". We laugh, we cry, we smile, we sigh and most of all we affirm life itself. This is life, this is poetry, this is love.