Dear Reader,

Within this compilation lies, in our humble opinion, the best writing to be found in or around the University of Akron. While selecting the best works for any publication is always a difficult process, this year, due to the influx of a great many submissions from the area’s burgeoning NEOMFA program, it was even more difficult than usual. Surrounded by so many great submissions, our standards became a little tougher; we set the bar a little higher, all in the hopes that we could one day live up to our name. Akros, part of the original Greek word akrópolis, means highest and it is with this notion in mind that we considered each and every submission. Like the Greek heroes and heroines of old, however, we editors have our flaws as well, but as the cliché goes we gave it our “best college try.”

On top of the great poems and short fiction pieces you’ve come to expect from the Akros Review, this volume also showcases the triumphant return of photography to our pages. Welcome back, we’ve missed you. Other great additions to this year’s Akros include editor and layout designer Ron Fields, and our reading staff and additional helpers Christina Hanneman, Dave Materna, and Tara Sturm. As with the previous volume, the assistance and hard work of editor Emily Dressler has been invaluable.

Finally, the Akros Review would like to thank Professor Robert Pope for serving as our faculty advisor, and E-JA’S Copies for helping us bring to you the finest quality publication our money could buy. Of course, it almost goes without saying that none of this would be possible without you the reader and those brave souls who had the courage to submit their work. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Keep writing and keep submitting.

Peace,

Brandon David Sloan
Editor in chief
The Akros Review