The potential to achieve virtue over vice challenges human beings to keep open the search for truth. Hope over despair, affection over hate, good over evil, our existence marked with the burden and the ecstasy of the human condition. People of faith and many leaders of goodwill concur with Pope Francis of Rome's proclamation that "the true strength of the Christian is the power of truth and love, faith leading to the renunciation of all violence." From Portents Dark to Promises of Light II: Reflections on People, Politics and Places is unique in that the author delves into issues deeply important, but perhaps too sensitive for others. The book's poetry moves from shades of dark to shining moments of inspiration. Paradoxical topics affecting our world - abortion, capital punishment, LGBT rights, color and gender issues, victims of abuse, war and peace, mental angsts, seniority and aging, free enterprise, detached phantoms, fatality and hell - are provocative ideas that lead some to take on destructive deeds, repeatedly haunting civilizations. Seamlessly the book weaves into poignant verses about soulful places and unforgettable people, daughters, family, friends and children. With space and time contained frozen within a recollections bottle, the poem enthusiast is ushered inside a momentary chamber warm and optimistic, vista conjuring loving relationships, blissful recollections and youthful laughter, pure and contagious. The book's journey starts with thoughts on death and closes with hopeful promises about immortality. The author and her family are longtime residents of Kailua, Hawaii. They briefly lived in San Rafael, California, Indianapolis, Indiana, Franklin, Tennessee, Springfield, Virginia and Ellicott City, Maryland. Professor Estrella Besinga Sybinsky taught Political Science courses at the University of Hawaii, Windward campus, at Sonoma State University, Indiana University Purdue University Columbus and Butler University in Indianapolis. She does readings/book signings and public speaking.