Dawn McGuire, who is also a neurologist, will read from her new book of poetry, The Aphasia Café, at Prairie Lights on Friday.

The Aphasia Café contains nearly 50 poems she wrote inspired by her patients suffering from the disorder aphasia, a language disorder affecting more than 1 million Americans.

McGuire’s book tells the stories of visitors to "the café" and the ways their lives are affected when they are no longer are able to find the proper words to explain the way they feel.

Aphasia, which can affect people of all ages, can develop following a stroke or head injury. Some people affected with the disorder can understand language but can’t express what they mean to say, while others lose all ability to understand language entirely.

The reading will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.

— by Georan Churchill