Café Shapiro Anthology 2018 ©2018 The authors retain all copyright interests in their respective works. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without permission of the authors. Please contact
[email protected] for permission information. Original Artwork provided by: Tarik Dobbs University of Michigan Junior, Major: General Studies and Art & Design ANTHOLOGY INTRODUCTION ANTHOLOGY INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 21st Annual Café Shapiro! I am excited to introduce the 21st Annual Café Shapiro Anthology and invite you to read the following inspiring and thoughtful University of Michigan student authored poems and short stories. These works will draw you into the creative process, welcome you to think and rethink your assumptions, and connect you with the students through their individual expression. You will find a unique window into the Michigan learning experience. When Café Shapiro fi rst launched over twenty years ago, it was a bold experiment, a student coffee break designed as part of the University’s Year of the Humanities and Arts (YoHA). Café Shapiro is an example of how past innovations become a part of current campus traditions. YoHA set out to explore the role of the arts and humanities in civic and community life through a variety of programs. Café Shapiro continues its tradition of featuring undergraduate student writers nominated by their Professors to perform their works and through doing so continues to demonstrate the value of the arts and humanities. The act of reading one’s work out loud is a new experience for many of our students. Throughout several evenings in February, students will gather in the Bert's Study Lounge in the Shapiro Library and share their works.