The Noblest Vol. II is a collection of some of the work of a small group of people from different walks of life who came together in a writing workshop given at the Noble Maritime Collection. Together, we shared our writings, we listened to each other, and we grew into a family of friends. As you read their thoughts, their ideas, their stories, you will come to glimpse them as I have been privileged to do. Their poems, stories, and memoirs speak for themselves. They have opened their hearts and souls in their writings. Tread softly as you read our works and enter into our lives. We hope our writing speaks to you and that you find a friend or two in these pages and that the words conjure memories, stimulate imagination, take you to special places, and give you pause to think.